Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Wickham Park Surgery on 14 June 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 and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment. However, not all staff were aware of the location of the practice emergency equipment and medicines.
• 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. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• The practice had adequate facilities and was equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. However, the premises had restricted capacity and was in need of updating and redecoration. The provider was awaiting the outcome of negotiations with NHS England regarding the possibility of relocation to purpose-built premises in 2018.
• 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.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.

There were areas where the provider should make improvements.

• The provider should keep a record of batch numbers of blank prescriptions placed in printers.
• The provider should ensure all staff are aware of the location of emergency medicines and equipment.
• The provider should consider completing an action plan to identify priority issues to be addressed in relation to the practice facilities if negotiations for relocation are unsuccessful and to cover the interim period, before the move takes place, if negotiations are successful.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice