Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Wood End Health Centre on 16 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 and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events. Learning outcomes were shared with staff and were embedded within the practice. Learning was also shared with other local practices.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed. These included safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, medicines management and health and safety precautions which included the practice’s ability to respond to an emergency.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Clinical audit drove quality improvement in all areas of activity. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Patient feedback from CQC comment cards completed showed that patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• 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 if patients could not attend the daily walk in clinic.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• As part of the practice strategy, new partners had been recruited for their passion and enthusiasm in striving to improve health care for patients who faced social deprivation and potential inequalities.
• The practice was forward thinking and led and participated in pilots aimed at improving healthcare for its patients.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

We reviewed the information available to us about Woodend Health Centre on 11 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.