• Doctor
  • GP practice

Squires Lane Medical Practice

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

2 Squires Lane, Finchley, London, N3 2AU (020) 8346 1516

Provided and run by:
Squires Lane Medical Practice

All Inspections

6 July 2023

During a monthly review of our data

We carried out a review of the data available to us about Squires Lane Medical Practice on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.

This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.

If you have concerns about Squires Lane Medical Practice, you can give feedback on this service.

4 September 2019

During an annual regulatory review

We reviewed the information available to us about Squires Lane Medical Practice on 4 September 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.

12 May 2017

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We previously carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Squires Lane Medical Practice on 19 April 2016. The overall rating for the practice was good. Within that overall rating the practice was rated as requires improvement for providing safe services. This was because it was not meeting some legal requirements in relation to prescription form security and staff recruitment checks. The full comprehensive report of the April 2016 inspection can be found at www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-546095318.

This inspection on 12 May 2017 was an announced focused inspection and was carried out to confirm that the practice completed their plan to meet the legal requirements in relation to the breaches in regulations that we identified in our previous inspection on 19 April 2016. This report covers our findings in relation to those requirements.

Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings were as follows:

  • The practice had put in place clearly defined systems, processes and practices to minimise risks to patient safety in relation to prescription form security and staff recruitment.

The practice had also acted on recommendations we made at our previous inspection and implemented additional improvements:

  • The practice had developed a business plan to support it in the delivery of its vision to provide high quality care and promote good outcomes for patents.

  • The practice had met with the Barnet Integrated Locality Team (BILT) to explore ways of working with the team to support patients who were at risk of avoidable admission to hospital better.

  • The practice was able to meet a patient’s request to be seen by a male or female GP.

At our previous inspection on 19 April 2016 we rated the practice as requires improvement for providing safe services because blank prescription forms and pads were not securely stored and there was no system in place to monitor their use; and because not all appropriate recruitment checks had been undertaken prior to employment of staff. At this inspection we found these shortfalls had been remedied. Consequently, the practice is rated as good for providing safe services.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

19 April 2016

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Squires Lane Medical Practice on 19 April 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 GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
  • 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.

The areas where the provider must make improvement are:

  • To ensure that blank prescription forms and pads are securely stored and to develop a system to monitor their use

  • To ensure the the policy for staff recruitment is followed including a signed contract, and undertaking all relevant pre-employment checks to verify that staff are of good character and have the qualifications, competence, skills and experience which are necessary for them to discharge their role.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

  • To consider creating a business plan to show the goals for the development of the practice.

  • To consider how to make provision for patients who express a wish to see a male GP.

  • To consider ways the practice can influence improved MDT work to improve care of patients in those circumstances.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

17 September 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with eight patients during our visit. Overall patients we spoke with were happy with the service. Patients told us they "trusted" their GP and more than one patient told us 'we have been coming here for many years and it's a good practice and we are happy." Patients were able to make an appointment to see their GP without many problems.

Patients understood the care and treatment choices available to them. Patients received care and treatment, that was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure patient's safety and welfare. A patient told us "doctors have been very thorough and have always given me time."

Patients were protected from the risk of abuse. The provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening.

Patients spoken with commented that the practice was clean and tidy. They told us that staff washed their hands and used gloves before examining them.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality of service provided, to ensure that medicines were safely ordered, stored and disposed of.

People's records were accurate and fit for purpose. If people were prescribed medication or had an immunisation, this was recorded in their notes. Medical records were securely stored and only accessible to authorised members of staff.

There is no registered manager in place currently at the practice. The provider has advised that they will be applying shortly.