Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out a comprehensive inspection on 13 February 2015.

We have rated each section of our findings for each key area. We found that the practice provided a safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led service for the population it served. The overall rating was good and this was because on-going improvements had been made that had a positive impact on patient care by staff who were motivated and carried out their roles effectively.

Our key findings were as follows:

• We found evidence that practice staff worked together and were enthusiastic to make on-going improvements for the benefit of patients.

• The practice was visibly clean. The standards of hygiene were regularly monitored to protect patients from unnecessary infections.

• There was a register of all vulnerable patients who were reviewed regularly. Patients we spoke with told us they were satisfied with the care they received and their medicines were regularly reviewed.

• Practice staff had identified carers and entered them on a register. GPs offered them advice and support. There was a dedicated area in the waiting room that offered information about support systems and groups.

• The practice was able to demonstrate a good track record for safety. Effective systems were in place for reporting safety incidents. Untoward incidents were investigated and where possible improvements made to prevent similar occurrences.

• We found that patients were treated with respect and their privacy was maintained. Patients informed us they were very satisfied with the care they received and their ability to book an appointment when they felt they needed to.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice