We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Peartree Surgery on 27 July 2017. The overall rating for the practice was good with requires improvement for providing responsive services. The full comprehensive report on the July 2017 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Peartree Surgery on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This inspection was an announced desk based focused inspection carried out on 11 September 2018 to confirm that the practice had made the recommended improvements that we identified in our previous inspection on 27 July 2017. This report covers our findings in relation to those improvements made since our last inspection.

Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings were as follows:

• The practice had comprehensive systems in place to collect and review patient feedback and audit their telephone and appointment booking systems. An improvement plan had been put in place in 2017 in order to increase access and improve patient experience.
• The practice and the Patient Reference Group completed patient surveys on an ongoing basis and the practice carried out regular audits to manage busy periods and monitor their appointment and telephone system.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We previously carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Peartree Surgery on 19 October 2016. Overall the rating for the practice in 2016 was inadequate; specifically it was rated inadequate for safe and well-led, requires improvement for effective and responsive and good for caring, and was placed in special measures for a period of six months.

This report follows an inspection that was undertaken following the period of special measures and was an announced comprehensive inspection carried out on 27 July 2017; 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 a system in place for reporting and recording significant events. The practice had clearly embedded systems and processes which promoted learning from events and clear communication with all staff members.
• The practice had clearly defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety. Processes and fail-safe systems were in place for the effective monitoring of patients receiving high risk medicines and management of clinical records.
• Staff were aware of current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Systems and processes in place to provide supervision to clinical staff and identify staff learning needs were effective.
• Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Staff worked with other health care professionals to understand and meet the range and complexity of patients’ needs.
• Most recent 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.
• Information about services and how to complain was available. 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.
• Staff felt supported by management and the practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.
• 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 review and ensure improvement to the national GP patient survey results, including access to the practice by telephone.

I am taking this service out of special measures. This recognises the significant improvements made to the quality of care provided by this service. We encourage the practice to sustain and embed the improvements.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice