• Doctor
  • GP practice

Archived: Abbey Road Surgery

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

243 Abbey Road, Barrow In Furness, Cumbria, LA14 5JY (01229) 821599

Provided and run by:
Abbey Road Surgery

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

3 May 2019

During an annual regulatory review

We reviewed the information available to us about Abbey Road Surgery on 3 May 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.

25 October 2016

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Abbey Road Surgery on 25th October 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.
  • 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 good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
  • There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by the management team.
  • 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.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

  • Take steps to improve the identification of patients who are carers.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

During the inspection in March 2014 we saw that the practice had addressed issues and concerns highlighted in our report from November 2013. We saw this had been carried out to the best of their ability to alleviate risks to patients whilst the new build was being completed. However there were two outstanding actions.

As part of this follow up inspection the practice was able to confirm that they were committed to moving into the new premises when the building had been completed. They demonstrated they had taken appropriate action regarding fire and electrical safety of the old premises. We therefore judged that the practice was now compliant with the regulation.

7 March 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We first inspected this practice on the 28th November 2013 and found the provider to be non-compliant with four outcomes. We undertook this inspection on the 7th March 2014 to assess the improvements the practice had made regarding compliance to outcomes.

We found that the equipment available to treat people in a medical emergency had been reviewed and further items provided to ensure that appropriate equipment was now available. Arrangements had been put in place to check that the emergency equipment remained in good order and fit for use. We also saw that a business continuity plan had been put in place to cover the actions that staff should take in the event of an emergency such as the loss of utilities.

During this inspection we saw that action had been taken to ensure that drugs were stored safely and securely in the treatment room. Further, that monitoring arrangements had been put in place to ensure that no drugs were stored in un-locked cupboards or in surgeries that were not secured or occupied.

We saw that measures had been put in place to improve the practice's approach to cleanliness and infection control which were both now of a good standard. Such actions included a formal schedule of cleaning being formulated, implemented and effectively monitored. An infection control audit had been undertaken and actions taken to address items identified as requiring attention.

During this inspection we saw that shortfalls with the practice's recruitment processes and information held about staff, had been rectified and that there was now a recruitment policy in place.

The condition of the building in which the premises were located continued to be a concern which will only be remedied when a move to new premises occurs and then the suitability of the environment will be re-assessed. However we saw that numerous remedial actions had been taken to improve the safety, cleanliness and decor of the interior of the facilities and equipment and we judged that this reduced the overall risk to people using the service from moderate to a minor impact.

28 November 2013

During a routine inspection

During the inspection we spoke with five people who used the service. All of these patients confirmed that they were happy with the care they received. People said "I am not rushed at all and everything is discussed appropriately" and "I receive a very good service and feel supported". Two people told us it could be difficult to get an appointment.

There were electronic records in place that adequately described the contacts that people had with the practice and the actions taken to provide appropriate care and treatment.

The practice did not have adequate processes in place to ensure good infection control and cleanliness.

The staff recruitment processes were not robust and there were inconsistencies in the information we saw that the practice held about staff.

The practice was housed in a victorian building which was in a poor condition. Whilst actions were being taken to improve the appearance of some areas, the overall fabric of the building, layout and configuration presented significant difficulties in terms of safety and upkeep.