Archived: Dr Funmilayo Nixon Also known as Westoe Surgery

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Funmilayo Nixon (also known as Westoe Surgery) on 9 June 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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 the following population groups: Older people; People with long-term conditions; Families, children and young people; Working age people (including those recently retired and students); People whose circumstances may make them vulnerable; People experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia).

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected 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 and addressed.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following best practice guidance. Staff had received training appropriate to their roles.
• 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.
• The majority of patients said they were able to get an appointment with a GP when they needed one, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• The practice offered pre-bookable early evening appointments one day per week with a GP, practice nurse and healthcare assistant, which improved access for patients who worked full time.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a clear leadership structure in place and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which they acted on.
• Staff throughout the practice worked well together as a team.

However there were areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

Importantly the provider should:

• Ensure that all clinical audits include at least two cycles. The practice should aim to demonstrate an on-going audit programme where they have made continuous improvements to patient care in a range of clinical areas as a result of clinical audit.
• Continue the work already in progress to review and improve health and safety arrangements, policies and procedures within the practice.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice