Archived: Thornton Medical Centre

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice:

We carried out an announced inspection visit on 03 February 2015 and the overall rating for the practice was good. The inspection team found after analysing all of the evidence the practice was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. It was also rated as good for providing services for all population groups.

Our key findings were as follows:

• The practice learned from significant events and incidents and took action to prevent their recurrence.

• All areas of the practice were visibly clean.

• Patients received care according to professional best practice clinical guidelines. The practice had regular information updates, which informed staff about new guidance to help ensure they were up to date with best practice.

• The service was responsive and ensured patients received accessible, individual care, whilst respecting their needs and wishes.

• There were positive working relationships between staff and other healthcare professionals involved in the delivery of service.

We saw several areas of outstanding practice including:

• The practice was piloting ‘The Gold Line Service.’ Patients who were on the palliative care register were given a telephone number with direct access to palliative care nurses, 24 hours a day.

• The practice is taking part in the Bradford’s Healthy Hearts campaign, initiated by the NHS Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). It is aimed at reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack in people who were in risk groups.

• The practice was an accredited level 2 Diabetes practice. This meant patients had a service local to them and also had access to a dietitian.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice