We carried out a review of the data available to us about Didcot Health Centre 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 Didcot Health Centre Practice, you can give feedback on this service.
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Didcot Health Centre Practice on 6 July 2016. The practice was rated as requires improvement for providing safe services and the overall rating for the practice was good. The full comprehensive report on the July 2016 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Didcot Health Centre Practice on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
This inspection was a desk-based review carried out on 10 March 2017 to confirm that the practice had carried out their plan to meet the legal requirements in relation to the breaches in regulations that we identified in our previous inspection on 6 July 2016. This report covers our findings in relation to those requirements and also additional improvements made since our last inspection.
Overall the practice is now rated as good.
Our key findings were as follows:
The practice had improved their communication of learning and actions taken following significant events. All staff had access to an update on the computer system and “practice education points” were discussed at team meetings.
The practice had reviewed the cold chain policy, fridge temperature recording and ensured vaccine safety was maximised.
The practice had reviewed their prescription security protocols to ensure blank prescriptions were securely stored.
The practice had reviewed the storage of an emergency medicine used to treat low blood sugar. They had ensured it was stored correctly and all staff knew of its location.
The practice had reviewed their carers support and updated their carers’ notice board to highlight areas where support was available. One of the non-clinical staff had undertaken training to support carers and the practice were facilitating the Alzheimer’s support group once per month.
Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Didcot Health Centre Practice on 6 July 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.
Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:
The areas where the provider must make improvements are:
Ensure the cold chain policy for vaccine storage is adhered to.
In addition the provider should:
Ensure lessons learnt from serious incidents are shared with staff in a timely way and completed actions are recorded.
Ensure there is a system in place for tracking and monitoring the use of blank prescription forms and pads, in line with national guidance.
Ensure all medicines for emergencies are stored correctly in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.
Review what active support could be offered to carers.
Chief Inspector of General Practice
Patients told us that they received good explanations of their treatment and options for their care. One patient said "today the doctor explained why there was no need to refer me yet. They told me what we could do now and what to expect. The option to refer later is still there".
Patients were treated with regard to their safety and welfare. We saw that patients requiring regular treatment reviews were recalled for these reviews. One patient told us 'I get letters reminding me to come in for my regular checks. Just this month I have to come in for an ECG, a blood test and have my blood pressure taken'.
The risk of cross infection was minimised because appropriate guidance had been followed.
Staff were supported on a day to day basis and were able to access training relevant to their roles and responsibilities.
The practice had systems in place to receive and act on patient feedback. Annual satisfaction surveys were carried out and a patient participation group was active. We saw that the practice had recruited another GP to start work in March 2014 in response to patient concerns over access to appointments.