Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Selly Park Surgery on 12 May 2016. The overall rating for this service is good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• There was a system in place to raise concerns and report significant events. Staff understood their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report significant events. These were discussed regularly at meetings and were a standing agenda item. Learning was shared with practice staff regularly and with other practices in the locality.

• Information about safety alerts was reviewed and communicated to staff by the practice manager in a timely fashion. Recommendations made by the CCG pharmacist following medicines reviews were followed up by GPs.

• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed through practice meetings and collaborative discussions with the multi-disciplinary team. Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following best practice guidance.

• Patients we spoke with told us GPs and nurses at the practice treated them with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.

• Information about services and how to complain was available in the reception area and patients told us that they knew how to complain if they needed to.

• Urgent appointments were available on the day they were requested. Patients said that they were able to see their preferred GP within one day. Routine appointments could be booked up to two weeks in advance and were usually available the next day.

• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. This included easy access for patients who used wheelchairs and baby changing facilities.

• There was a clear leadership structure and staff told us they felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from patients, which it acted on. Staff appeared motivated to deliver high standards of care and there was evidence of team working throughout the practice.

The areas the provider should make improvements are:

• Ensure that communication aids such as easy read and pictorial aids, are available for patients with a learning disability to enhance communication opportunities.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice