Archived: Manningham Medical Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Manningham Medical Practice on 25 October 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• The safety of staff and patients was a priority of the practice and there was an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events. These were reviewed within the practice and by the provider.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.

• 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. Staff were encouraged to attend additional training and the practice supported the learning and development of all staff.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients said they did not find it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was not always continuity of care. Urgent appointments were available with both GPs and nursing staff the same day.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• A health advisor was available for one afternoon per week. The practice also offered access to an in-house benefits advisory service every Monday, where patients could get help with benefits, claims, forms, immigration and debt issues.
• We saw that the practice carried out comprehensive checks for locum GPs and had recently implemented “end of shift” forms. These tick lists encouraged locum GPs to review their responsibilities and work load and were handed to the practice manager prior to leaving the practice. The practice also provided a one page quick reference guide for locums and a more detailed file was kept in each clinic room which would assist with referrals, protocols and contacts for example.
• There was a clear and effective leadership structure. Staff felt very supported by the management in the practice and also by the wider management team. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.
• The practice had a patient engagement lead and an active Patient Participation Group (PPG).

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

The practice should review the results of patient satisfaction surveys, including the GP patient survey and ensure that it can meet the needs of their patient population in the future and improve access.

Review their arrangements for clinical audit at the practice. Clinical audits should be clearly linked to patient outcomes, monitored for effectiveness and be comprised of two or more cycles to monitor any improvements made to patient outcomes.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice