This practice is rated as Good overall.

The key questions are rated as:

Are services safe? – Good

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? - Good

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Whalebridge practice on 9 October 2018, as part of our inspection programme.

At this inspection we found:

• The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes.
• The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence- based guidelines.
• Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
• Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.
• There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.
• There was a proactive approach to understanding the needs of different groups of people and to deliver care in a way that met these needs and promoted equality.

There were areas where the provider should make improvements. The provider should:

• Continue efforts to increase the programme coverage of women eligible to be screened for cervical cancer.
• Continue efforts to form a patient participation group.
• Continue efforts to improve patient satisfaction with services.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice