The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Riverside Medical Practice

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Alma Street, Stockton On Tees, Cleveland, TS18 2AP (01642) 604117

Provided and run by:
Riverside Medical Practice

All Inspections

6 July 2023

During a monthly review of our data

We carried out a review of the data available to us about Riverside Medical Practice on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.

This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.

If you have concerns about Riverside Medical Practice, you can give feedback on this service.

4 September 2019

During an annual regulatory review

We reviewed the information available to us about Riverside Medical Practice on 4 September 2019. We did not find evidence of significant changes to the quality of service being provided since the last inspection. As a result, we decided not to inspect the surgery at this time. We will continue to monitor this information about this service throughout the year and may inspect the surgery when we see evidence of potential changes.

08/12/2015

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Riverside Medical Practice on 8 December 2015. 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 an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
  • 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.
  • Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
  • Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
  • Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that 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 and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour. This means providers must be open and transparent with service users about their care and treatment, including when it goes wrong.

We saw one area of outstanding practice:

  • The practice provided acupuncture for patients suffering from back pain and to help alleviate symptoms of the menopause.

  • The practice provided a dermoscopy service within the practice to reduce the number of referrals to the acute hospital service.

  • The practice provided joint care for those suffering from substance misuse. One of the GPs had undergone further training in managing this group of patient.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

  • Ensure recruitment arrangements include all necessary employment checks for all staff.

  • Ensure the lessons learn from significant event analysis is shared with all staff.

  • Ensure staff meetings and action from these meetings are recorded.

Ensure staff are clear about who is responsible for lead roles and who to contact when the named person is not working.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice