Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Practice on 14 April 2016. Overall the practice was rated as good but required improvement for providing safe services.

During our last inspection we required the provider to make the following improvements;

• Record, investigate, analyse and share the learning from significant events thoroughly and consistently.
• Ensure the safe storage of vaccines in line with the recognised guidance and the practice policy.
• Implement a system to monitor the use of prescriptions.

A requirement notice was not issued. However, the practice put an action plan in place to address the areas requiring improvement an ensure they were resolved.

On 19 October 2016 we conducted a desk top review and found;

• The practice had revised their management of significant incidents. Staff had received training in the recognition of incidents and the escalation of concerns. All incidents as before, were overseen by the practice manager and reviewed monthly under the practice governace arrangements.
• The practice had investigated the disparity with the recording of a fridge temperature. A stock check of all vaccines had been conducted on the day. Staff had been advised to record all information and actions they had taken for transparency. Regular audits were conducted of the recording systems to ensure staff adhered to the cold chain policy.
• The practice ensured the safe and secure management of prescriptions as required under guidance.

We were satisfied that the practice had made the required improvements.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Practice Leecon Way and Hawkwell on 14 April 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with 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, this was corroborated by CQC comment cards received as well as feedback from national data.
• Information about services and how to complain was available within the practice, on the practice website and in the practice leaflet; this information was easy to understand.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available on the same day and home visits when required.
• Staff were suitably trained and had a very good understanding of how to safeguard patients from abuse.
• The practice had good facilities at both premises and was well equipped to treat all patient groups and meet their needs.
• There was a clear leadership structure within the practice and within the corporate organisation and staff felt supported by management. The practice 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.

• Data showed patient outcomes were comparable to the national average, areas for improvement had been identified and the practice was actively addressing them.

• There was an open and transparent approach to safety; however the system in place for reporting and recording significant events was not consistently effective.

• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed, with the exception of one incident identified regarding a breach of cold-chain for vaccines.
• Prescriptions were stored securely; however there was no system in place to monitor their use.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Record, investigate, analyse and share the learning from significant events thoroughly and consistently.

• Ensure staff are aware of and implement practice policies, including the cold chain policy for the safe storage of vaccines.
• Implement a system to monitor the use of prescriptions.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice