This practice is rated as Good overall. The previous inspection carried out 17 May 2016 was rated as Good overall

The key questions are rated as:

Are services safe? – Good

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? - Good

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Mersea Island Medical Practice on 24 April 2018. This inspection was carried out under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. The inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

At this inspection we found:

• The practice had clear systems to manage risk to reduce the risk of safety incidents from occurring. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes.
• The practice consistently reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care they provided.
• Care and treatment was delivered according to evidence- based guidelines.
• We saw evidence that staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
• Patients reported appointments could be accessed when they needed one.
• There was a strong focus on continuous learning across the whole practice and improvement was seen at every level.

There was one area where the practice should make improvement;

• Continue to find ways to improve patient satisfaction in relation to the opening hours and contact for patients with the practice by phone.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGPChief Inspector of General Practice