Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

On 24 October 2014 we carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of Market Square Surgery, Waltham Abbey, Essex under our new approach of inspection of primary medical services.

We found that the practice was good across all the key areas we looked at and patients expressed a high level of satisfaction about the way the services were provided.

Our key findings were as follows:

• The practice had systems and processes in place that made the practice safe for both patients and staff.
• Staff were kind and caring and dedicated to providing high quality care and treatment. Patients privacy and dignity was maintained.
• The practice were aware of the needs of their patients and tailored services to meet them
• The practice worked well with other health care providers to achieve effective outcomes for their patients. Information sharing and communication with partner agencies helped support the levels of care and treatment received by patients.

However, there were also areas of practice where the provider should make improvements.

The provider should:

• The practice should undertake a Health and Safety Risk Assessment to ensure staff and patients are safe.

• The practice should ensure staff are suitably trained in fire emergency procedures and that fire drills are practised at appropriate intervals.

• The practice should review their repeat prescription system to ensure patients receive a regular review of their medicines.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice