29 June 2017
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of Church Street Surgery on 29 June 2017. Overall the practice is rated as good.
Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:
- There was an open and transparent approach to safety and a system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
- The practice had clearly defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety.
- Staff were aware of current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment.
- Results from the national GP patient survey showed patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
- Information about services and how to complain was available.
- Patients we spoke with or received comments from told us that they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and 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 provider was aware of the requirements of the duty of candour. Examples we reviewed showed the practice complied with these requirements.The practice had implemented the year of care approach for management of long term conditions and had performed over and above the Clinical Commissioning requirements by using this approach not only for diabetes, but for other long term conditions including pre-diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Cardiovascular Disease.
- The practice had worked to increase awareness and use of online services for patients. This had resulted in an increase of 13.2% (from 5.3% in May 2016 to 18.5% in June 2017). The practice had also been invited to the Clinical Commissioning Group managers meeting to support other practices in raising awareness.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice