• Doctor
  • GP practice

Thaxted Surgery

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Margaret Street, Thaxted, Dunmow, Essex, CM6 2QN (01371) 830213

Provided and run by:
Thaxted Surgery

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

Thaxted Surgery is a GP practice and delivers services to approximately 9,360 people under a contract held with NHS England. According to the latest available data, the ethnic make-up of the service area is approximately 95% White, 1.9% Asian, 1.9% Mixed, 0.7% Black and 0.5% Other.Information published by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities shows that deprivation within the practice population group is in the 9th decile (9 of 10). The lower the decile, the more deprived the practice population is relative to others. This assessment considered the demographics of the people using the service, the context the service was working within and how this impacted service delivery. Where relevant, further commentary is provided in the quality statements section of this report.

The service had a good learning culture and people could raise concerns. Managers investigated incidents thoroughly. People were protected and kept safe. Staff understood and managed risks. The facilities and equipment met the needs of people, were clean and well-maintained and any risks mitigated. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience. Managers made sure staff received training and regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care. Staff managed medicines well and involved people in planning any changes.

People were involved in assessments of their needs. Staff reviewed assessments taking account of people’s communication, personal and health needs. Care was based on latest evidence and good practice. Staff worked with all agencies involved in people’s care for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving between services. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent. Staff involved those important to them in making decisions in people’s best interests where they did not have capacity.

People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. They treated them as individuals and supported their preferences. People had choice in their care and treatment. The service supported staff wellbeing.

People were involved in decisions about their care. The service provided information people could understand. People knew how to give feedback and were confident the service took it seriously and acted on it. The service was easy to access and worked to eliminate discrimination. People received fair and equal care and treatment. The service worked to reduce health and care inequalities through training and feedback. People were involved in planning their care and understood options around choosing to withdraw or not receive care.

Leaders and staff had a shared vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Managers worked with the local community to deliver the best possible care and were receptive to new ideas. There was a culture of continuous improvement.

Thaxted Surgery is a GP practice and delivers services to approximately 9,360 people under a contract held with NHS England. According to the latest available data, the ethnic make-up of the service area is approximately 95% White, 1.9% Asian, 1.9% Mixed, 0.7% Black and 0.5% Other.Information published by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities shows that deprivation within the practice population group is in the 9th decile (9 of 10). The lower the decile, the more deprived the practice population is relative to others. This assessment considered the demographics of the people using the service, the context the service was working within and how this impacted service delivery. Where relevant, further commentary is provided in the quality statements section of this report.

The service had a good learning culture and people could raise concerns. Managers investigated incidents thoroughly. People were protected and kept safe. Staff understood and managed risks. The facilities and equipment met the needs of people, were clean and well-maintained and any risks mitigated. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience. Managers made sure staff received training and regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care. Staff managed medicines well and involved people in planning any changes.

People were involved in assessments of their needs. Staff reviewed assessments taking account of people’s communication, personal and health needs. Care was based on latest evidence and good practice. Staff worked with all agencies involved in people’s care for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving between services. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent. Staff involved those important to them in making decisions in people’s best interests where they did not have capacity.

People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. They treated them as individuals and supported their preferences. People had choice in their care and treatment. The service supported staff wellbeing.

People were involved in decisions about their care. The service provided information people could understand. People knew how to give feedback and were confident the service took it seriously and acted on it. The service was easy to access and worked to eliminate discrimination. People received fair and equal care and treatment. The service worked to reduce health and care inequalities through training and feedback. People were involved in planning their care and understood options around choosing to withdraw or not receive care.

Leaders and staff had a shared vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Managers worked with the local community to deliver the best possible care and were receptive to new ideas. There was a culture of continuous improvement.

18 November 2015

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Thaxted Surgery on 18 November 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good. The practice is rated as good for each of the domains and all of the population groups.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

  • Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report incidents and near misses. Information about safety was recorded, monitored, appropriately reviewed and addressed.
  • Learning from when things went wrong was widely shared with staff through meetings and discussions. People affected by safety incidents were offered an explanation and an apology.
  • There were systems for assessing and managing risks. There were systems for assessing risks including risks associated with medicines, premises, fire, equipment and infection control.
  • The practice fire alarm system was linked to and triggered by a number of smoke detectors within the practice. There were no other systems for raising an alarm in the event of an outbreak of fire (such as in case of fire break glass fire alarm).
  • Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following best practice guidance. Clinical audits and reviews were carried out to make improvements to patient care and treatment.
  • Staff performance was appraised and any further training needs had been identified and planned.
  • 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. Complaints were investigated and responded to appropriately and apologies given to patients when things went wrong or their experienced poor care or services.
  • 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.

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

Importantly the provider Should:

  • Review the procedures for raising an alarm in the event of an outbreak of fire within the practice.

  • Review the checking procedures for medicines within the dispensary so that they are checked more frequently to identify when medicines have expired.

  • Maintain copies of the appropriate checks including employment references are carried out when staff are employed.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

22 October 2013

During a routine inspection

We inspected the Thaxted Surgery on 22 October 2013. We found the staff courteous at the reception desk and the waiting room suitable for the practice population.

There was a varied selection of information on the notice boards in the waiting room for the benefit of the patients. The information included notices about the surgery, health promotion, safeguarding and other support services.

We received positive comments from ten people visiting the surgery on the day of inspection. One person told us: "It's easy to get an appointment, and I've always found it okay to get through on the phone."

We saw that staff spoke politely to people and that consultations were carried out in private treatment rooms.

The doctors we spoke with told us they involved people in their care. We saw the surgery had appropriate arrangements in place to obtain medication.

We spoke with four members of staff about the support they received and saw records of appraisals, regular training, staff meetings, and staff development.

We saw the surgery held both paper based and electronic records that were appropriately stored and maintained.