20 July 2017
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
On 3 March 2016 we carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Crawcrook Medical Centre which included an inspection of the branch surgery, known as Greenside Surgery. The overall rating for the practice was requires improvement, having being judged as requires improvement for Safe, Effective and Responsive. The full comprehensive report on the September 2016 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Crawcrook Medical Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
After the comprehensive inspection the practice wrote to us to say what they would do to meet the following legal requirements set out in the Health and Social Care Act (HSCA) 2008:
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Regulation 12 Health & Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 Safe care and treatment.
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Regulation 18 Health & Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) 2014 Staffing
This announced comprehensive inspection was carried out on the 20 July 2017 in order to review the action taken by the practice to be compliant with the regulations. Overall the practice is now rated as good.
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The practice had taken steps to address the concerns we had identified during out previous inspection in relation to the provision of safe, effective and responsive services.
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The provider had entered into a partnership arrangement with a not for profit healthcare support organisation who represent 31 local GP practices to aid and support improvement within the practice. Improvements had included employing additional clinical and non-clinical staff, reviewing the appointment system and the centralisation of some medicines management and back office functions.
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Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and report incidents and near misses.
- Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
- There was evidence of quality improvement and clinical audit activity leading to improvements in patient care and outcomes.
- 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 health promotion and signposting to relevant support services. The practice hosted counsellors from mental health and drug and alcohol support services on a weekly basis.
- 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.
- The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
- There was a 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 regulation.
However, there were also areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements. Importantly, the provider should:
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Continue to monitor and improve access to services and appointment availability.
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Assure themselves that clinical staff have undertaken appropriate training in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty standards (DoLS).
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice