Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr P Ellenger & Partners (The Linthorpe Surgery) on 22 September 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.

We saw some areas of outstanding practice;

• The practice was part of the STAR (South Tees Access and Response) scheme which was introducing extended opening hours from 7.00am to 9.30pm on weekdays and 8.00am to 8.00pm on weekends. The Linthorpe Surgery was one of the sites the service would be delivered from.

• The practice provided support to young people at the child and adolescent mental health wards at a local hospital. A GP visited three wards at the hospital once a week to assess and treat any problems the young people may wish to see the GP for.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice