Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

Overall we found the practice provided patients a good service with two areas that required some improvement. The areas where improvement was needed were; there was scope to better embed learning from incidents through more formal dissemination of information to staff and improved recording of this learning. There was also scope to formally document staff meetings in order to provide formal records of internal communication within the practice.

Our key findings were as follows:

• Patients were pleased with the improvements to the service provision over the previous 18 months.
• The Practice had worked with local care homes, healthcare professionals and schools to improve communication around patients’ health needs?

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

The provider should:

• Ensure that learning from incidents and complaints is formally disseminated to all staff and that this learning is formally documented.
• Formal notes should be taken during staff meetings to provide a record of internal communication.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP