Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Madeira Medical on 19 April 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• The practice provided safe and effective clinical care.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• 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 been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• The practice had a very thorough and systematic approach to reviewing patients with long term conditions, and this was reflected in the high level of achievement in Quality and Outcomes (QOF) clinical targets.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• The practice worked closely with the other two practices in the health centre to make best use of the facilities. It worked with the local community and hospitals to provide extended health services at a convenient location for patients.
• 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 practice was very well organised with clear roles and responsibilities, good communication and cohesive team working.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGPChief Inspector of General Practice