Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Practice Lincoln Green on 19 November 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good for providing safe, effective, caring and well-led care for the population groups it serves. However, we found the practice rated as outstanding for the responsive care of people with long term conditions and those experiencing poor mental health (including dementia).

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

• Patients’ needs were assessed and staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment in line with current evidence based guidance
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in decisions about their care and treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• National survey patient responses said they sometimes found it difficult to make an appointment. However, a practice based survey showed more positive results. Urgent appointments were available for the same day as requested.
• Risks to patients’ health and safety were assessed and well managed. There were effective safeguarding processes in place.
• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and a system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.

We saw several areas of outstanding practice:

• Members of the nursing team provided mindfulness and guided meditation sessions for patients; particularly those who had a mental health related issue or multiple long term conditions.
• 100% of patients with dementia and 98% of patients with poor mental health had received a comprehensive review and documented care plan in the last twelve months. These were higher than the CCG averages of 88% for both.
• There was a proactive approach to the education of patients, especially those who attended accident and emergency (A&E) inappropriately. The practice could evidence a reduction in A&E attendances over the past 12 months.
• Educational workshops were provided for patients who had a diagnosis of diabetes to improve their understanding and self-management. The practice also delivered educational sessions in a local primary school and supermarket.
• One of the practice nurses had co-founded the Leeds Respiratory Network Group. The network provided education, support, forum, website and blog for a range of health professionals.

However, there was an area where the practice should improve:

• To maintain an accurate record of what medicines are stored in the GPs’ bags.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP 

Chief Inspector of General Practice