Archived: St Lukes Medical Centre - Greenswood Branch

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an inspection of St Lukes Medical Centre- Greenswood Branch on the 7 September 2016. This review was performed to check on the progress of actions taken following an inspection we made in April 2016. Following that inspection the provider sent us an action plan which detailed the steps they would take to meet their breaches of regulation. During our latest inspection on 7 September 2016 we found the provider had made the necessary improvements.

This report covers our findings in relation to the requirements and should be read in conjunction with the report published in August 2016. This can be done by selecting the 'all reports' link for St Lukes Medical Centre- Greenswood Branch on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Our key findings at this inspection were as follows:

The practice had improved the health and safety for patients by improving the assessment and management of risks. For example, this included the introduction of:

• Written care plans for all patients with the long term conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes.

• Written records for palliative care meetings.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at St Lukes Medical Centre – Greenswood Branch on 13 April 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good, with the safe domain being that of requiring improvement.

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.
• Arrangements were in place for the safe storage of vaccines and the monitoring of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) alerts.
• 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 said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain 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 good 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 areas where the provider should make improvements are:

Ensure that patients with long term conditions such as diabetes or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are provided with a written copy of their own care plan.

The practice should review its arrangements for the recording of palliative care meetings.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice