Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Pathfinder Medical Practice on 12 October 2017. 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.
• The practice had clearly defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety.
• 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.
• Results from the National GP Patient Survey showed patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• The practice maintained a list of vulnerable patients and dedicated staff contacted these patients on a weekly basis to check their health and wellbeing.
• Information about services and how to complain was available. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients we spoke with 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 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 the requirements of the duty of candour. Examples we reviewed showed the practice complied with these requirements.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Continue to monitor and ensure improvement to immunisation rates for children.
• Continue to monitor and ensure improvement to patient waiting times.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice