20/08/2019
During an inspection looking at part of the service
We carried out an inspection of Clarendon Medical Centre on 20 August 2019 following our annual review of the information available to us including information provided by the practice. Our review indicated that there may have been a significant change to the quality of care provided since the last inspection.
This inspection focused on the following key questions: are services safe, effective, responsive and well-led?
Because of the assurance received from our review of information we carried forward the ratings for the following key questions: are services caring?
We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:
- what we found when we inspected
- information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and
- information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.
We have rated this practice as good overall and good for all population groups except for people whose circumstances make them vulnerable, which we rated as outstanding.
We found that:
- The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
- Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
- Staff understood the needs of the local population and treated patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
- The practice displayed a forward thinking attitude and embraced technology, research and pilot schemes to enhance patient care at the practice.
- The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, individualised, person-centred care. Staff told us they felt lucky to work at the practice and were very supported.
Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should:
- Improve the uptake of cancer screening at the practice including bowel, breast and cervical screening and continue with their work to encourage patients to attend.
We saw areas of outstanding practice including:
- The provider had identified that a significant number of their registered patients were vulnerable and had responded with a number of innovative approaches to providing person-centered care. For example, they had procured technology which enabled patients to access health education, guidance and information using TV screens at the practice and clinic room doors were colour coded to guide patients to the appropriate clinician. Community engagement included working with three local mosques and targeting hard to reach groups, identified through patient feedback demographics. The practice ensured that all verbal feedback was captured, responded to and reviewed due to literacy issues within the population.
- When patients were reaching the end of life, regular visits were made to support the person and their family. Local undertakers were given the mobile number of the lead GP for contact to allow the timely completion of documentation following a patient death and to facilitate some religious burial timeframes.
- A staff member at the practice was trained to offer foodbank vouchers. We were told the staff team also provided food, bedding and clothing to individuals in need. Members of the team also worked as volunteers at a local community food kitchen to support homeless patients. Patients could be directed to this service.
Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.
Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP
Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care.