Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We conducted a comprehensive announced inspection on 27th July 2015.

Specifically, we found the practice to be good for providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led services. It was also good for providing services for older people, people with long-term conditions, families, children and young people, working age people (including those recently retired and students), people living in vulnerable circumstances, and people experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia).

Our key findings were as follows:

• Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report incidents and near misses. Information about safety was recorded, monitored, appropriately reviewed, addressed and shared with staff during meetings.
• Risks to patients and staff were assessed and managed. There were risk management plans which included areas such as premises, medicines handling and administration, infection control and safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following best practice guidance.
• Staff had received training appropriate to their roles. Staff were supervised and supported and any further training needs had been identified and planned for.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment. They told us that access to appointments with GPs and nurses was good and that they were happy with the treatments that they received.
• Information about services and how to complain was readily available and easy to understand. Complaints were handled and responded to in line with relevant guidelines.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice