Priory Medical Practice

On this page

• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

We looked for evidence that service leadership, management and governance assured high-quality, person-centred care; supported learning and innovation; and promoted an open, fair culture. At our last assessment, we rated this key question as good. At this assessment, the rating remains the same.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The service had a shared vision, strategy and culture. This was based on transparency, equity, equality, human rights, diversity, inclusion and engagement. Staff and leaders understood the challenges and the needs of people and their communities.

Leaders monitored and reviewed progress against the delivery of their strategy. The service was aware of local challenges that affected delivery, including a projected increase in the local population over the coming years and wider workforce pressures, and worked with partner agencies to address these challenges.

Staff and leaders actively promoted equality and diversity and worked to identify the causes of any workforce inequalities. They demonstrated a positive and compassionate listening culture that focused on learning and development. Staff were positive about the culture within the service and told us it was open, transparent, and they felt supported to raise concerns which they knew would be listened to and acted on.

We did not look at Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Well-led.

We did not look at Freedom to speak up during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Well-led.

We did not look at Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Well-led.

The service had clear responsibilities, roles, systems of accountability and good governance. They used these to manage and deliver good quality, sustainable care, treatment and support. They acted on the best information about risk, performance and outcomes, and shared this securely with others when appropriate.

All staff we spoke with were clear on their individual roles and responsibilities. Leaders proactively supported staff and met with them to complete appraisals and performance reviews. Managers ensured staff could access all required policies and procedures, which were kept up-to-date and reflected the latest guidance.

The service had established governance processes in relation to the quality statements we reviewed during this assessment, which were appropriate for their service. Leaders held regular formal practice meetings with staff, during which they discussed practice information, clinical concerns, emerging risks and learning from events. Actions arising from these meetings were recorded and shared with staff. There were also regular informal daily discussions, and staff described an open-door culture where they could approach leaders and clinicians for support and advice when needed. The service had systems in place to ensure staff worked in line with policies, national guidelines and within their competencies, for example through structured clinical supervision.

During our assessment, some gaps in records of mandatory training were identified; for example, not all staff were up-to-date with fire safety and infection prevention and control (IPC) training. These findings indicated that oversight of training records required strengthening. Leaders set out a structured approach to improve training oversight, including consolidating and centralising processes, using reminders and governance systems to support completion.

The service demonstrated effective oversight of complaints within the practice. During the 12-month period leading up to this inspection, 7 complaints were recorded. These were thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action was taken to identify and implement learning to help prevent recurrence.

Staff understood the importance of confidentiality and information security. The service submitted data and notifications to external agencies as required.

Leaders described plans to support succession, workforce continuity and the sustainability of the service. The service was also a training practice, supporting workforce development and staff retention.

The service had a culture of governance, reflection and continuous quality improvement. There was evidence of clinical audits and quality improvement activity, including medicines optimisation audits and projects relating to long-term condition management and dispensing services. The outcomes of these activities were shared in practice meetings, supporting ongoing oversight, shared learning and continuous improvement of the service.

We did not look at Partnerships and communities during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Well-led.

We did not look at Learning, improvement and innovation during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Well-led.