Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

This is a focused desk top review of evidence supplied by Richmond Hill Practice also known as Colne Health Centre, Colne, Lancashire, BB8 0LJ), for a number of areas within the key question safe. This was conducted on 24 October 2016.

The practice was inspected on 28 July 2015. The inspection was a comprehensive inspection under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (HSCA). At that inspection, the practice was rated ‘good’ overall. However, within the key question safe three areas were identified as requires improvement, as the practice was not meeting the legislation at that time; Regulation 12 Safe care and treatment.

Procedures for vaccine storage did not meet current legislation and guidance. The practice had not carried out risk assessments for staff. Specifically there were no risk assessments for moving and handling and lone worker risk assessments for staff who were visiting patients in their own homes. The building manager was responsible for cleanliness and hygiene however, the practice did not have a formal cleaning check, including curtain replacement and ensuring no hazardous substances were in use.

The practice supplied an action plan and a range of documents which demonstrated they are now meeting the requirements of Regulation 12 Safe care and Treatment Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

During this desk top review, we found the practice to be good in providing safe services. Overall, the practice is rated as good.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

This is a focused desk top review of evidence supplied by Richmond Hill Practice also known as Colne Health Centre, Colne, Lancashire, BB8 0LJ), for a number of areas within the key question safe. This was conducted on 24 October 2016.

The practice was inspected on 28 July 2015. The inspection was a comprehensive inspection under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (HSCA). At that inspection, the practice was rated ‘good’ overall. However, within the key question safe three areas were identified as requires improvement, as the practice was not meeting the legislation at that time; Regulation 12 Safe care and treatment.

Procedures for vaccine storage did not meet current legislation and guidance. The practice had not carried out risk assessments for staff. Specifically there were no risk assessments for moving and handling and lone worker risk assessments for staff who were visiting patients in their own homes. The building manager was responsible for cleanliness and hygiene however, the practice did not have a formal cleaning check, including curtain replacement and ensuring no hazardous substances were in use.

The practice supplied an action plan and a range of documents which demonstrated they are now meeting the requirements of Regulation 12 Safe care and Treatment Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

During this desk top review, we found the practice to be good in providing safe services. Overall, the practice is rated as good.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

During our inspection we spoke with four patients who had attended for appointments, one GP, the practice manager and her deputy, two reception staff and one nurse.

Patients told us they were generally happy with the treatment and the service they received at Richmond Hill Practice. One patient said, "I have been coming here for many years and have seen a lot of changes; I would say I am happy with the service that I get".

Patients told us they were fully involved in discussions and decisions about their treatment and said they were listened to. They told us they could request an appointment either by calling at the practice, booking on line or by speaking to the receptionist, the triage nurse or the on call doctor on the telephone.

Some patients were unhappy with the appointments system and told us they had difficulties getting through to the practice. However, we found the practice staff had listened to patients, had taken appropriate action and were keeping the appointments system under review.

The practice had developed policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse. Records showed all staff had undertaken appropriate training in safeguarding. This would help staff to recognise and act when patients were at risk of abuse or neglect.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality of service provision. We found patients' views had been taken into account in the way the service was provided.