The Old Court House Surgery

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Old Court House Surgery and the branch practice on 8 March 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.
• Most risks to patients were assessed and well managed with the exception of some health and safety risks.
• 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 were very satisfied with the level of service received. They said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Information about services was available and easy to understand.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• The practice had adequate 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.

In addition the provider should:

• Implement a robust system for monitoring and actioning patient safety alerts.
• Ensure that appropriate recruitment checks are undertaken and recorded prior to employment for all staff.
• Improve management and monitoring of health and safety systems in the practice, specifically those associated with control of substances hazardous for health and ensure that there is a system in place to provide assurances that health and safety risks are adequately assessed and managed at the branch practice premises.
• Ensure that all staff employed by the practice have access to required mandatory training including annual basic life support training.
• Ensure that all staff have access to annual appraisals.
• Implement a robust system to ensure that the practice’s urgent onward referrals have been received by other services.

• Ensure that patients wth a learning disability are reviewed and monitored effectively.

• Improve the information available in patient waiting areas for translation services and bereavement support.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice