Amherst Medical Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of Amherst Medical Practice on 4 March 2015. During the inspection we gathered information from a variety of sources. For example; we spoke with patients, members of the patient participation group (PPG), interviewed staff of all levels and checked the right systems and processes were in place.

Overall the practice is rated as good. This is because 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 patient population groups of; 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 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 and addressed. Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• Patient’s needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered in line with current legislation. Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and any further training needs had been identified and training planned.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in decisions about their care and treatment. Information to help patients understand the services available was easy to understand. Staff treated patients with kindness and respect, and maintained confidentiality.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day. The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. Information about how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• 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 patient participation group (PPG) was active.

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

The provider SHOULD;

• Ensure that all policies contain relevant information.
• Ensure maintenance of the vaccines cold chain is adequately monitored and recorded.
• Ensure that all staff training records are kept up to date.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice