This practice is rated as Good overall. (Previous inspection December 2014 – Good)

The key questions are rated as:

Are services safe? – Good

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? - Good

As part of our inspection process, we also look at the quality of care for specific population groups. The population groups are rated as:

Older People – Good

People with long-term conditions – Good

Families, children and young people – Good

Working age people (including those recently retired and students – Good

People whose circumstances may make them vulnerable – Good

People experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia) - Good

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Fenham Hall Surgery on 20 February 2018. This was as part of our ongoing inspection programme.

At this inspection we found:

• The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes.
• The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence- based guidelines.
• The practice had improved their approach to postnatal reviews and six-week baby checks. They had introduced a planned approach, which allowed them to easily identify and follow up where families did not attend.
• The practice had improved the support provided to patients reaching the end of their life and this had resulted in more patients dying in their preferred location.
• Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
• Patients were able to access care and treatment from the practice within an acceptable timescale for their needs.
• There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Review the process for recording and documenting fire evacuation drills.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out a comprehensive inspection of Fenham Hall Surgery on 3 December 2014.

Our inspection team was led by a CQC Inspector and included a GP specialist advisor. We have rated the practice overall as good.

Our key findings were as follows:

• Patients we spoke with told us they were generally satisfied with the care provided by the practice and said their dignity and privacy was respected.

• Patient outcomes were either in line with, or better than average, when compared to other practices in England.

• The practice had good working arrangements with other healthcare professionals to share information and improve patient care.

• Staff told us they felt involved and engaged in the practice to improve outcomes for both staff and patients. We saw they were appropriately supported through training and appraisals.

• There was a range of qualified staff to meet patients’ needs and keep them safe.

There was an area of outstanding practice;

• The practice were one of the first practices in the area to take on a young apprentice as a member of the administration staff. This was successful and started the process for other practices to do the same. The young apprentice won the Young Apprentice of the Year award from Newcastle City Learning in 2013.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice