The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

The Medical Group

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

The Surgery, Sawmills Lane, Meadowfield, Durham, County Durham, DH7 8NH (0191) 378 0651

Provided and run by:
The Medical Group

All Inspections

6 July 2023

During a monthly review of our data

We carried out a review of the data available to us about The Medical Group 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 The Medical Group, you can give feedback on this service.

31 October 2019

During an annual regulatory review

We reviewed the information available to us about The Medical Group on 31 October 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.

10 November 2016

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Medical Group on 10 November 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

  • Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and report incidents and near misses.
  • Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
  • Outcomes for patients who use services were good.
  • Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following best practice guidance.
  • Staff were consistent and proactive in supporting patients to live healthier lives through a targeted approach to health promotion. Information was provided to patients to help them understand the care and treatment available
  • Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
  • The practice had a system in place for handling complaints and concerns and responded quickly to any complaints.
  • Patients we spoke with raised no concerns regarding making an appointment and only a small number of patients who completed CQC comment cards raised concerns (8%).
  • The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
  • There was a clear leadership structure in place and staff felt supported by management. The practice sought feedback from staff and patients, which they acted on.
  • The practice was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

  • Review frequency of controlled drug checks in line with the practice standard operating procedures and maintain appropriate records of expiry checks within the dispensary. Review the arrangements for tracking pre-printed prescription stock through the practice.
  • Have a comprehensive system for planning and carrying out clinical audits.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice