We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at this practice on the 1st October 2014 and at this time the practice was rated as good. However, breaches of a legal requirement were also found. After the comprehensive inspection the practice wrote to us to say what they would do to meet the following legal requirements set out in the Health and Social Care Act (HSCA) 2008:

Regulation 21 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010, which corresponds to Regulation 19 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

On the 5 May 2016 we carried out a focused review of this service under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This review was carried out to check whether the provider had completed the improvements identified during the comprehensive inspection carried out in October 2014.

This report covers our findings in relation to those requirements and areas considered for improvement. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Picton Green Family Practice on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

The findings of this review were as follows:

• The practice had addressed the issues identified during the previous inspection.
•  Appropriate recruitment checks had been carried out for staff. The practice had undertaken DBS checks for all staff members. All of the staff files had been updated with the latest photographic identity checks (ID’s) and contact details.
• The practice has since developed a system to monitor the Patient Group Directives PGD). PGD were well managed to ensure the safe administration of relevant medicines by appropriately qualified staff.
• When training updates were due the practice booked staff onto relevant training. All of the practice staff have had up to date infection control training.
• Picton Green Family Practice have acquired oxygen and all of the practice staff have been trained to use emergency equipment such as the oxygen cylinder and defibrillator.

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

This is the report of findings from our inspection of Picton Green Family Practice. Picton Green Family Practice is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide primary care services.

We undertook a planned, comprehensive inspection on 1 October 2014 at the practice location in the Picton Neighbourhood Health Centre. We spoke with patients, relatives, staff and the practice management team.

The practice was rated as Good. They provided effective, responsive, caring and compassionate care that addressed the needs of the diverse population it served.

Our key findings were as follows:

• We found aspects of the service required improvement. Staff were recruited by the practice prior to required checks being undertaken and information about them being obtained. There was little evidence of such checks and required personal information held on file.
• The service was caring. Patients spoke highly of the practice. They were very pleased with the individualised care given by all staff and told us staff were kind, compassionate and caring.

• The service was responsive. The practice served a diverse population in a deprived area of Liverpool. The practice provided good care to its population taking into account their cultural, religious, socio economic and language needs.

• The service was effective. People’s needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered in line with current legislation.

• The service was well led. The practice worked hard to monitor, evaluate and improve services. They worked in collaboration with other practices and the CCG within the Neighbourhood Team. Staff enjoyed working for the practice and felt well supported and valued.

We saw an area of outstanding practice as detailed below:

• The practice organised a health awareness event recently (July 2014) for all its patient population. The purpose was to raise health awareness among patients across the diverse spectrum it served. Various organisations were in attendance such as Cancer Uk to promote the awareness of cancer screening. Information was given to patients in different languages to increase uptake. Health visitors attended to help promote the importance of immunisations, health trainers gave advice on healthy lifestyle and the Citizens Advice Bureau was in attendance to offer help and advice. We were told this was a well-attended, positive event that helped the practice to engage better with their population and promote health awareness.

There were areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

Importantly, the provider must:

• Take action to ensure its recruitment arrangements are in line with Schedule 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 to ensure necessary employment checks are in place for all staff.

In addition the provider should:

• Improve the way they managed Patient Group Directives to ensure safe administration of the relevant medicines by appropriately qualified staff.
• Improve training for all staff in infection control to ensure they are appropriately skilled in prevention and control of infections.

• Improve the medical emergency equipment to ensure staff can safely and appropriately respond to medical emergencies.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)

Chief Inspector of General Practice