The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Dr B Parsons & Partners Also known as Cowes Medical Centre

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Cowes Medical Centre, 200 Newport Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7ER (01983) 295251

Provided and run by:
Dr B Parsons & Partners

All Inspections

27 July 2022

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced inspection at Dr B Parsons & Partners on 27 July 2022. Overall, the practice is rated as Good.

Safe – Requires improvement

Effective - Good

Caring – Not inspected

Responsive – Inspected for access arrangements only

Well-led - Good

Following our previous inspection on 19 September 2016, the practice was rated Good overall and Good for all key questions.

The full reports for previous inspections can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Dr B Parsons & Partners on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Why we carried out this inspection

This was a focused inspection which included the key questions safe, effective and well-led and specific questions from responsive to find out whether patients could access services effectively and in a timely manner.

How we carried out the inspection

Throughout the pandemic CQC has continued to regulate and respond to risk. However, taking into account the circumstances arising as a result of the pandemic, and in order to reduce risk, we have conducted our inspections differently.

This inspection was carried out in a way which enabled us to spend a minimum amount of time on site. This was with consent from the provider and in line with all data protection and information governance requirements.

This included:

  • Conducting staff interviews using video conferencing facilities
  • Completing clinical searches on the practice’s patient records system and discussing findings with the provider
  • Reviewing patient records to identify issues and clarify actions taken by the provider
  • Requesting evidence from the provider
  • A short site visit

Our findings

We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:

  • what we found when we inspected
  • information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and
  • information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.

We have rated this practice as Good overall

We found that:

  • The practice provided care in a way that mainly kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm. However, systems for managing tasks and for monitoring repeat prescribing of high risk medicines were not always safe.
  • Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
  • The practice adjusted how it delivered services to meet the needs of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
  • The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care.

We found a breach of regulations. The provider must:

  • Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients

The provider should:

  • Complete the planned staff training programme, as identified by the practice.
  • Review the vulnerable adult safeguarding policy so it reflects current intercollegiate guidance on safeguarding vulnerable adults.
  • Continue to monitor the prescribing of antibiotics for uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
  • Continue to improve the uptake of cervical screening.
  • Develop a programme of supervision for advanced practitioners.

Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.

Dr Sean O’Kelly BSc MB ChB MSc DCH FRCA

Chief Inspector of Hospitals and Interim Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services

19 September 2016

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr B Parsons & Partners on 19 September 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 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 should make improvement are:

Ensure that regular infection control audits take place and are recorded.

Ensure that staff are fully trained before performing Chaperone duties.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGPChief Inspector of General Practice

28 January 2014

During a routine inspection

We spoke with nine patients, five members of the Patient Participation Group (PPG) two Practice Nurses, administrative staff, lead GP partner and members of the management team. Patients were complimentary about all the staff and the services provided. One patient told us 'the staff are very friendly and helpful. This is a popular surgery.' Another said 'the staff are helpful and I find them very professional.' 'The GP referred me to the hospital for a specialist consultant appointment which was good.'

One patient said "I don't mind waiting because the reception staff will tell me if the GP is running late. I am not often kept waiting long". Staff interactions with patients were respectful and appropriate. Patients using the service were treated with respect and involved in making decisions about their care and treatment. The provider took proper steps to ensure that patients were protected against the risks of receiving care or treatment that was inappropriate or unsafe.

Patients who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening. Patients were protected from the risk of infection because appropriate guidance had been followed.

The provider followed a full recruitment process for staff before they were employed to work with patients. They had an effective system in place to identify, assess and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people using the service and others.