2 February 2016
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Horne Street Surgery on 2 February 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 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.
- Patients said they found access to the surgery by phone difficult, but appointments were ususally available with a named GP and most appointments were 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 management. 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. Duty of Candour is a requirement that health care providers are open and honest with the people who use their services.
We saw one area of outstanding practice:
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Although no figures were available, the practice was able to describe how they had reduced the need for referrals of some patients to secondary care (hospital) services due to the expertise of the GPs in mental health and dermatology (skin conditions).
However there are areas where the provider needs to make improvements.
Importantly the provider should:
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Improve patient confidentiality by diverting incoming patient calls away from the front reception desk
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Establish regular formal meetings with health visitors to discuss vulnerable children and families
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Document all annual infection prevention and control (IPC) audits
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice