Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Thornaby and Barwick Medical Group on 28 May 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good. The inspection team found after analysing all of the evidence that the practice was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. In summary our key findings were as follows:

• The practice provided good, safe, responsive and effective care for all population groups in the area it serves.

• Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report incidents and near misses. Information about safety was recorded, monitored, appropriately reviewed and addressed.

• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.

• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following best practice guidance. Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and any further training needs had been identified and planned.

• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their 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.

• There was a clear leadership structure and most staff felt supported. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.

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

The provider should:

• Ensure arrangements are in place for the safe disposal of obsolete oxygen cylinders.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice