Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Yeadon Tarn Medical Practice on 10 November 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good for providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care for all of the population groups it serves.

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 was in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following best practice guidance. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and were involved in care and decisions about their treatment.
• Patients were positive about access to the service. They said they found it easy to make an appointment, there was continuity of care and urgent appointments were available on the same day as requested.
• The practice worked with other local surgeries in providing a hub that provided extended hours services to patients with additional appointments in the evening, weekends and Bank Holidays.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat and meet the needs of patients.
• While we were assured that visual checks checks on portable appliances are carried out, the practice had not carried out regular testing of portable equipment a by an electrician.
• The practice sought patient views how improvements could be made to the service, through the use of patient surveys, the NHS Friends and Family Test and the patient participation group.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff were supported by management.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.

We saw two areas of outstanding practice:

• The practice worked collaboratively with local practices to provide extended hours on evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays.
• The practice had recruited Clinical Care Co-Ordinators to provide support to vulnerable patients and liaise with other healthcare professionals.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice