Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Vernon Street Medical Centre on 22 July 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• The practice demonstrated an open and transparent approach to safety. There were systems in place to enable staff to report and record significant events. Learning from significant events was shared.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed. A health and safety action plan was in place and risks were monitored on an ongoing basis.
• Staff delivered care and treatment in line with evidence based guidance and local guidelines. Training had been provided for staff to ensure they had the skills and knowledge required to deliver effective care and treatment for patients.
• Clinical audits were undertaken and showed improvements in the quality of care provided to patients.
• Feedback from patients was that they were treated with kindness, dignity and respect and were involved in decisions about their care.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• The practice proactively sought feedback from patients through the use of surveys and via the NHS Friends and Family Test.
• Patients said they could generally get appointments when they needed one. There were systems in place to monitor demand for appointments and the practice continually sought to improve access for patients. A new telephone system was being installed in response to patient feedback.
• There was a clear leadership structure which all staff were aware of. Staff told us they felt supported by the partners and management.
• There was a clear vision and mission which was shared with patients on the website and throughout the practice.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• The provider should ensure that their business continuity plan is updated to formalise arrangements for dealing with major incidents or emergencies
• The provider should strengthen their system to record actions taken to address infection control issues.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

We reviewed the information available to us about Vernon Street Medical Centre on 4 June 2019. We did not find evidence of significant changes to the quality of service being provided since the last inspection. As a result, we decided not to inspect the surgery at this time. We will continue to monitor this information about this service throughout the year and may inspect the surgery when we see evidence of potential changes.