We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Hama Medical Centre on 29 January 2019 as part of our inspection programme.

We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:

• what we found when we inspected
• information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and
• information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.

We have rated this practice as good overall and good for all population groups.

We found that:

• The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
• Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
• Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
• The practice organised and delivered services to meet patients’ needs. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
• The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centre care.

Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Hama Medical Centre on 9 December 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• The practice had robust arrangements in place to deal with information about safety. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to report incidents and concerns and knew how to do this. Information about safety was thoroughly documented and monitored. The practice updated their policies and procedures in line with outcomes and had systems in place to maximise learning from significant events and incidents.

• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.

• The practice demonstrated the use of best practice guidance to assess patients’ needs and plan their care. Staff had received relevant role specific training and further training needs were identified through an appraisal system and a training needs analysis.

• The practice had developed clear and accessible processes to encourage patient feedback. Information on changes made as a result of patient feedback was shared with patients on a noticeboard in the waiting area. The practice, along with the patient participation group (PPG), encouraged feedback from patients.

• There was a very clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The open culture encouraged feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.

• Feedback from patients was positive about the practice. Patients told us they were treated with dignity and respect and supported to make decisions about their care and treatment.

• Feedback from patients demonstrated that there was good access to the practice. Pre-booked appointments were available up to eight weeks in advance for GPs and twelve weeks in advance for nurses, with urgent appointments available on the same day.

• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to meet the needs of patients.

We saw areas of outstanding practice which including:

• The PPG were actively engaged in supporting older people with  Age UK by promoting the equipment and assistance available to patients who would benefit.  The PPG members also became Dementia Friends and work closely with the carers champion in signposting agencies and support to patients.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice