2 December 2014
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We undertook a comprehensive inspection of the Buttercross Health Centre in the village of Somerton on 2 December 2014. The Buttercross Health Centre in, Somerton, Somerset provides primary medical services to people living within a five mile radius of the town. The practice provides services to a diverse age group.
Our key findings were as follows:
The Buttercross Health Centre operated a weekday service to over 5,050 patients in Somerton and surrounded villages. The practice was responsible for providing primary care, which included access to the GP, minor surgery, ante and post natal care as well as other clinical services. At the time of our inspection there were four female GPs, three practice nurses, two healthcare assistants, a medical director, a practice manager, and additional administrative and reception staff.
Patients who use the practice had access to community staff including district nurses, health visitors, physiotherapists, counsellors, and midwives.
Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:
We found that staff were well supported and the practice was well led with a clear vision and objectives. Staff had knowledge of safeguarding procedures for children and vulnerable adults although not all of the staff had received training in these areas.
Patients we spoke to and the comment cards we looked at confirmed that people were happy with the service and the professionalism of the GPs and nurses. They told us that they were always treated with kindness and respect. The practice was spacious with easy access for patients with mobility difficulties and patients with pushchairs. The practice was clean and there were effective infection control procedures in place.
There was an open culture within the organisation and a clear complaints policy.
There were areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.
The provider should:
Ensure that all staff receive up to date training in Safeguarding vulnerable adults and children
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice