Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Highcliffe Medical Practice on 5 November 2014. During the inspection we gathered information from a variety of sources. For example, we spoke with patients, members of the patient participation group (PPG), interviewed staff of all levels and checked that the right systems and processes were in place.

Overall the practice was rated as good. This is because we found the practice to be good for providing well-led, effective, caring, responsive and safe services. It was also good for providing services for all patient population groups.

Our key findings were as follows:

• The practice was clean and patients told us that they had no concerns with the cleanliness of the practice

• Patients were happy with the care treatment and support they had received. Patients told us they had been involved and felt included in decisions about their care, treatment and support at the practice.

• Patients were happy with the current appointment system and said it was easy to obtain an appointment when they needed one and they were able to get through on the telephone.

• The practice engaged patients and staff sufficiently in the operation of the service or ensured that staff had received appropriate learning and development opportunities to enable them to provide effective care, treatment and support to patients.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice