Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Leicester Road Surgery on 8 December 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good for providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led services. Leicester Road Surgery is part of Malling Health (referred to as ‘the group’ in this report).

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

• It was clear during our inspection that the current management team had made improvements since taking over this practice and were continuing to do so at the time of our inspection. A detailed practice improvement plan was in place which set clearly identifiable goals and timescales for achieving them.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. At the time of our inspection audit of equipment was being carried out to ensure the right equipment was in the right place throughout the local practices within the group.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance.

• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed. Appropriate systems were in place to ensure safety was a top priority.

• Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment. Staff resources were shared with other practices in the group to enable practices to support each other and share best practice. The practice was looking at ways to develop this further and had started a staff skills analysis to facilitate this.

• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice was supported by the group’s regional management team.

• The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice