This practice is rated as Good overall. (not previously rated under the current provider)

The key questions at this inspection are rated as:

Are services safe? – Good

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? - Good

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Somers Town Medical Centre on 11 September 2018 as part of our inspection programme.

At this inspection we found:

• The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved its processes.
• The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence-based guidelines.
• Feedback from patient interviews and CQC comment cards was positive about the way staff treated them.
• Patient feedback indicated that people sometimes found it difficult to gain access to the practice by telephone, although they were usually able to get an appointment when they did get through.
• The provider’s patient list included a large cohort of Bengali patients and in response full time Bengali interpreters were based at the practice.
• There was visible leadership and a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the practice.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Continue with the action plan to improve and address the low scores in the GP patient survey, particularly for questions relating to listening to patients; treating patients with care and concern; telephone access and appointment bookings.
• Continue with efforts to improve the up-take of childhood immunisations.
• Continue with efforts to improve the up-take of cervical screening.
• Review providing all reception staff with sepsis training.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice

Please refer to the detailed report and the evidence tables for further information.