Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Sunfield Medical Centre on 15 November 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good for providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care for all of the population groups it serves.

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

• The practice promoted a culture of openness and honesty. All staff were encouraged and supported to record any incidents using the electronic reporting system. There was evidence of good investigation, learning and sharing mechanisms in place.
• The practice complied with the requirements of the duty of candour. (The duty of candour is a set of specific legal requirements that providers of services must follow when things go wrong with care and treatment.)
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• There were safeguarding systems in place to protect patients and staff from abuse.
• There was a clear leadership structure. Staff were aware of their roles and responsibilities and told us the GPs and practice manager were accessible and supportive. There was evidence of an inclusive team approach to providing services and care for patients.
• Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• There was a good range of interventions to support patients to have a healthy lifestyle, such as smoking cessation, weight management, travel health (including being a designated Yellow Fever centre), student health and NHS health checks.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following local and national care pathways and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.
• There was good access to clinicians and patients said they found it generally easy to make an appointment. There was continuity of care and if urgent care was needed patients were seen on the same day as requested. Patients' comments were generally positive about access to services. The practice had improved access as a result of patient’s feedback. The practice had extended opening hours four days per week and were also open on Saturday mornings.
• The GP was an NHS England clinical advisor involved with complaints across Yorkshire and could evidence a comprehensive understanding of complaints and how to respond to them. The practice had an accessible complaints system and evidence showed issues were responded quickly and learning was shared with staff.
• The practice sought views on how improvements could be made to the service, through the use of patient surveys, the NHS Friends and Family Test and engagement with patients.

• The practice worked closely with a local elderly action group and staff also undertook fundraising activities and had raised over £1,200 for local charities.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice