Archived: Sobell Medical Centre

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Sobell Medical Centre on 06 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. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients we spoke with said 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 areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Include information about the practice’s safeguarding procedures and protocols in the locum GP pack, in addition to that available on the practice computer system and on display in the consulting rooms.

• Prepare staff so that they know how the evacuation chair is used to assist a disabled person to leave the premises in an emergency if necessary.

• Review arrangements for the identification of carers amongst the practice patient list so that all carers are offered support.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice