9th February 2018
During a routine inspection
This practice is rated as good overall.
The key questions are rated as:
Are services safe? – Good
Are services effective? – Good
Are services caring? – Good
Are services responsive? – Good
Are services well-led? - Good
As part of our inspection process, we also look at the quality of care for specific population groups. The population groups are rated as:
Older People – Good
People with long-term conditions – Good
Families, children and young people – Good
Working age people (including those recently retired and students – Good
People whose circumstances may make them vulnerable – Good
People experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia) - Good
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Arnside Medical Practice on 9 February 2018 as part of our inspection programme.
At this inspection we found:
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The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes.
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The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence-based guidelines.
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Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
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Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.
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There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.
We saw an example of outstanding practice:
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A “Listening Service” was established by the provider at Ash Trees Surgery, and this had been extended to Arnside Surgery at the request of their patients. The Listening Service was a free, confidential service facilitated by a volunteer chaplain listener on a weekly basis. Patients we spoke to at the practice told us this service was highly valued.
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
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Put in place a checklist of medicines to be included on the emergency trolley;
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Undertake appraisals with all members of staff;
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Undertake appropriate risk assessments for staff who may not require a disclosure and barring service (DBS) check, and ensure that only staff who have had a DBS check act as chaperones.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice