Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We previously carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of Quinton Practice on 6 July 2016. The overall rating for the practice was good with requires improvement for providing a safe service. The full comprehensive report on the 6 July 2016 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Quinton Practice on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This inspection was an announced focused inspection carried out on 17 July 2017 to confirm that the practice had carried out their plan to meet the legal requirements in relation to the breaches in regulations identified at our previous inspection on 6 July 2016. This report covers our findings in relation to those requirements.

Our key findings were as follows:

• Discussion and learning outcomes from significant events were seen to have been shared with the wider practice team.
• Risks had been identified and assessments carried out to minimise and mitigate the risks to the health, safety and welfare of service users and staff.
• All staff had received a criminal record check through the disclosure and barring system (DBS).
• Systems had been implemented to track the use and manage the non-collection of prescriptions.

Further improvements included:

• The practice had taken steps to proactively identify more patients who also acted as carers.
• A poster had been placed by the reception desk to inform patients that a translation service was available.
• Staffing levels had been increased with the addition of a healthcare assistant and a receptionist.

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 comprehensive inspection at Quinton Practice on 6 July 2016. 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. However, the practice could not demonstrate that learning and changes following significant events and complaints had become embedded into practice.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed, except that reception staff did not have Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and although risk assessments had been completed, these did not cover potential risks when chaperoning patients.
• Robust systems were not in place for monitoring the use of prescription stationery or collection of prescriptions by patients.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance.
• Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Patients told us they could get an appointment when they needed one, although pre bookable appointments appeared to be discouraged in favour of book on day appointments.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• 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 and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.

However, there were also areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

Importantly, the provider must:

• Introduce systems to ensure that learning and changes following significant events and complaints are shared with all members of staff and become embedded into practice.
• Carry out a risk assessment regarding chaperones and Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
• Carry out risk assessments for the areas of the building used by the practice.

In addition the provider should:

• Introduce systems to monitor the use of prescription pads and blank computer prescription forms, and to manage the non collection of prescriptions.
• Ensure that all staff complete training on infection prevention and control.
• Continue to review the staffing levels following the merger to ensure there are sufficient staff to meet the needs of the patients.
• Make patients aware that translation services are available.
• Adopt a more proactive approach to identifying and meeting the needs of carers.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice