Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced follow up inspection Oswald Medical Practice on 10 November 2016.

Following a comprehensive inspection on 12 April 2016 the practice was issued with two requirement notices due to breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulation 2014. This was in relation to shortfalls in systems for risk management and health and safety and the management of medicines. The practice was rated as Requires Improvement. An action plan was submitted with agreed timescales, identifying the action the practice would take.

We undertook a focused inspection to follow up the action taken by the practice in these specific areas. We found the practice had completed the action plan and was now meeting the required regulations.

Overall the practice is now 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 improved system in place for reporting and recording significant events and there was evidence that learning was shared across the practice.

• Risks to patients were assessed and were effectively managed.

• The management of complaints had been reviewed. 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.

• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. All equipment was now serviced and maintained as required. Portable appliance testing had been completed.

• The management of medicines had been improved, with additional security measures implemented for the distribution and storage of prescriptions.

• The authorisations to administer medicines via patient group and patient specific directions had been reviewed. Systems had been implemented to better manage and to reduce risks

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced follow up inspection Oswald Medical Practice on 10 November 2016.

Following a comprehensive inspection on 12 April 2016 the practice was issued with two requirement notices due to breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulation 2014. This was in relation to shortfalls in systems for risk management and health and safety and the management of medicines. The practice was rated as Requires Improvement. An action plan was submitted with agreed timescales, identifying the action the practice would take.

We undertook a focused inspection to follow up the action taken by the practice in these specific areas. We found the practice had completed the action plan and was now meeting the required regulations.

Overall the practice is now 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 improved system in place for reporting and recording significant events and there was evidence that learning was shared across the practice.

• Risks to patients were assessed and were effectively managed.

• The management of complaints had been reviewed. 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.

• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. All equipment was now serviced and maintained as required. Portable appliance testing had been completed.

• The management of medicines had been improved, with additional security measures implemented for the distribution and storage of prescriptions.

• The authorisations to administer medicines via patient group and patient specific directions had been reviewed. Systems had been implemented to better manage and to reduce risks

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

During our inspection we spoke with four people who had attended for appointments, one GP, the practice manager and her senior assistant/PA, two reception staff, two administrative staff and two nurses. We did not visit the two branch practices.

People told us they were fully involved in discussions and decisions about their treatment and said they were listened to. People told us they could request an appointment either by dropping into the practice, by telephone or on line.

The practice had policies and procedures in place for dealing with allegations of abuse. Records showed some staff had undertaken appropriate training in safeguarding and other training was underway. This would help staff to recognise and act when people were at risk of abuse or neglect.

There were effective systems in place to monitor the quality of service provision. We found people's views had been taken into account in the way the service was provided.

People were happy with the staff team and with the service they received. Staff told us they enjoyed working at the practice.