Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out a focused follow up inspection of Portchester Practice on the 11 October 2016. This inspection was performed to check on the progress of actions taken following an inspection we made on 18 December 2014. These included;

• A lack of systems for regular appraisal and training of staff

• Poor infection control policy and systems to monitor infection control procedures, the quality of the environmental cleaning and not having a policy for the management, testing and investigation of Legionella

• A lack of effective mechanisms in place to seek feedback from staff and to respond to feedback gained.

Following the inspection in December 2014 the provider sent us an action plan which detailed the steps they would take to meet their breaches of regulation. During our latest inspection on 11 October 2016 we found the provider had made the necessary improvements in delivering safe, effective and well led services.

This report covers our findings in relation to the requirements and should be read in conjunction with the comprehensive inspection report published on 16 April 2015. This can be done by selecting the 'all reports' link for Portchester Practice on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Our key findings across the areas we inspected in this focused follow up inspection were as follows:

• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed. A wide range of risk assessments were now in place in relation to the internal and external premises.

• The practice was visibly clean and tidy. This included the reception and waiting areas, treatment and consultation rooms and toilet facilities. Written cleaning schedules were in place and were being followed.

• There was an up to date infection control policy and systems were in place to monitor infection control procedures and the quality of environmental cleaning, together with a policy for the management, testing and investigation of Legionella (water quality checks).

• The practice had ensured that a system of regular appraisals had been completed. Future appraisals had been planned. Personal development plans were in place for all staff.

• Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment. The practice now had an overview of training which specified what training staff had received or required.

• There were mechanisms in place to seek feedback from staff and this feedback had been positively received and responded to. For example, the introduction of monthly staff meetings and the attendance of a GP partner at every staff meeting.

• Regular meetings were held to address maintenance, cleaning and facilities management issues between the practice and the building’s lease owner, NHS England.

• The practice had a vision and strategy. The practice ethos was on display in staff areas. Staff knew and understood their roles and responsibilities in relation to the practice vision and strategy.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

This was a comprehensive inspection of Portchester Practice and was carried out on 18 December 2014.

We have rated the practice as requires improvement overall. Specifically, we found the practice required improvement for providing safe, effective, well led services. The practice was good for providing a responsive and caring service.

Patients were positive about the services they had received from the practice. The practice provided caring and sympathetic, patient-centred care. Policies and procedures were in place for reporting concerns in relation to both adult and child protection issues. The practice was a training practice for student GP registrars.

Our key findings were as follows:

• There were systems in place to ensure effective patient care and patients were satisfied with the services provided.

• Patients were cared for and treated with dignity and respect and staff ensured their privacy.

• Patients were given enough time to discuss their concerns or treatments when they attended for appointments and were given longer appointments when they needed to discuss more than one concern or complex problems.

• Significant events and complaints were investigated on an individual basis.

• The practice was rated highly by patients who described the overall experience of the practice as good or very good.

• The practice provided GP appointments at times that met the needs of their patients.

• The practice list size had increased by over 500 patients in the last 12 months.

The areas where the provider must make improvements are:

• Ensure there is a system of regular appraisals and training and that personal development plans are in place for all staff.

• Ensure there is an infection control policy and systems in place to monitor infection control procedures and the quality of environmental cleaning and have a policy for the management, testing and investigation of Legionella

• Ensure there are mechanisms in place to seek feedback from staff and this feedback is responded to.

• The practice must ensure they aware of the risks in relation to the internal and external premises as part of their lease and use of the property to include the environment and emergency systems meeting the needs of the practice and safety of the patients.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

We reviewed the information available to us about Portchester Practice on 8 May 2019. We did not find evidence of significant changes to the quality of service being provided since the last inspection. As a result, we decided not to inspect the surgery at this time. We will continue to monitor this information about this service throughout the year and may inspect the surgery when we see evidence of potential changes.