Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at South Holderness Medical Practice on 30 November and 1 December 2015. 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.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Patients said they were treated 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 and easy to understand.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• 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.

We saw an area of outstanding practice.

• The practice was working with Humber NHS Foundation Trust on a project called Withernsea Forward to review the services provided at the community hospital in Withernsea and in the surrounding area. The practice had arranged public events for people to discuss and share their ideas about what services they would like to see at the hospital and in the local area in the future to make the most of the local health facilities and services.

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

Importantly the provider should:

• Ensure the process for recording medication fridge temperatures is reviewed.

• Ensure appointments run on time and patients are kept informed if clinics are running late.

• Ensure the practice has a written strategy and supporting business plan which outlines their vision and plans for the future.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice