We carried out an announced inspection at Dr R K Mathews on 12 and 20 September 2022. Overall, the practice is rated as Good.
Set out the ratings for each key question
Safe - Good
Effective - Good
Caring - Good
Responsive - Good
Well-led - Good
Following our previous inspection on 7 September 2016, the practice was rated Good overall and for all key questions.
The full reports for previous inspections can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Dr R K Mathews on our website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we carried out this inspection
This was a comprehensive inspection as the service had not been inspected for six years.
How we carried out the inspection
Throughout the pandemic CQC has continued to regulate and respond to risk. However, taking into account the circumstances arising as a result of the pandemic, and in order to reduce risk, we have conducted our inspections differently.
This inspection was carried out in a way which enabled us to spend a minimum amount of time on site. This was with consent from the provider and in line with all data protection and information governance requirements.
This included:
- Conducting staff interviews using video conferencing
- Completing clinical searches on the practice’s patient records system and discussing findings with the provider
- Reviewing patient records to identify issues and clarify actions taken by the provider
- Requesting evidence from the provider
- A short site visit
- Staff feedback forms
Our findings
We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:
- what we found when we inspected
- information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and
- information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.
We have rated this practice as Good overall
We found that:
- The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
- Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs. Clinical searches and medical records we reviewed showed effective management and monitoring of high-risk medicines and patients with long-term conditions although there were some areas that required review.
- Staff treated patients with kindness, compassion, and respected their privacy and dignity.
- The practice adjusted how it delivered services to meet the needs of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
- The practice recognised the importance of their Patient Participation Group and acted on their suggestions.
- The management team demonstrated an open and transparent leadership style.
- The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person centred care.
Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should:
- Apply to add the regulated activity of maternity and midwifery services to their registration with CQC.
- Continue with plans to improve uptake in cervical cancer screening.
- Develop a plan to consistently follow up patients to check response to the treatment within a week of an acute exacerbation of asthma and consistently issue and record asthma care plans.
- Standardise medication reviews to ensure appropriate consultation with patients and monitoring checks are reviewed.
- Continue to review the prescribing of hypnotic medicines.
- Continue to survey and engage with the patient population to improve and maintain satisfaction in areas identified in the GP Survey such as involving patients in decisions about their care.
Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.
Dr Sean O’Kelly BSc MB ChB MSc DCH FRCA
Chief Inspector of Hospitals and Interim Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services