Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Welbeck Surgery on 30 August 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• There was an open and transparent approach to safety within the practice. Effective systems were in place to report, record and learn from significant events. Learning was shared with staff and external stakeholders where appropriate.

• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.

• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance.

• Outcomes for patients were generally above or in line with local and national averages.

• Training was provided for staff which equipped them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.

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

• Patients told us they were able to get an appointment with a GP when they needed one, with urgent appointments available on the same day.

• Feedback from the GP patient survey showed that patients rated the practice highly. For example 100% of patients stated they had confidence in the last GP they saw or spoke to.

• 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 and learning from complaints was shared with staff and stakeholders.

• The practice sought feedback from specific groups including vulnerable groups, such as under 25 year olds or patients with a diagnosis of autism, whose views were often overlooked in general surveys to ensure the service provided was responsive to all patients.

• In the previous year the practice had one of the lowest A and E attendance rates in the local area.

• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. Services were designed to meet the needs of patients.

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

We saw an area of outstanding practice:

• The practice led in several areas which benefited vulnerable patients to ensure proactive care was available to those who might otherwise not engage in GP led care.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice