Archived: Dr Michael McKeown Also known as Kynance Medical Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Michael McKeown on 9 July 2015. The overall rating for the practice was requires improvement. The full comprehensive report on the July 2015 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Dr Michael McKeown on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This inspection was undertaken to check the provider had taken the action we said they must and should take and was an announced comprehensive inspection on 8 June 2017. Overall the practice is now rated as good.

Our key findings 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 taken the action we said it must take at our July 2015 inspection to ensure safety incidents were recorded, reviewed and shared with staff.
• The practice now had clearly defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety. It had taken the action we said it must take at our July 2015 inspection to ensure staff had access to medical oxygen in the event of a medical emergency and confidential patient records were stored securely.
• 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. The practice had taken the action we said it must take at our July 2015 inspection to ensure staff received up to date training relevant to their roles.
• 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 and, in response to action we said it should take at our July 2015 inspection, the complaints procedure was now easily accessible to patients. 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 adequate facilities and equipment 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.

However, there were also areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

The provider should:

• Consider including external safeguarding contact details within the practice’s safeguarding policy documents.

• Continue action to improve QOF performance in areas where performance has been below CCG and national averages.

• Monitor understanding of Gillick and Fraser guidelines to ensure staff knowledge remains up to date.

• Continue to monitor uptake of cervical screening and childhood immunisations to secure improved uptake performance.

• Promote the system for identifying and supporting carers to ensure it is fully embedded and maintained within the practice.

• Consider the introduction of a more structured, planned programme of clinical audit to drive improvement in patient outcomes.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice