16 October 2014
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We visited Gorleston Medical Centre on the 16 October 2014 and carried out a comprehensive inspection.
The overall rating for this practice is good. We found that the practice provided a safe, effective, caring and responsive service. There were areas for improvement in relation to leadership at the practice. We examined patient care across the following population groups: older people; those with long term medical conditions; mothers, babies, children and young people; working age people and those recently retired; people in vulnerable circumstances who may have poor access to primary care; and people experiencing poor mental health. We found that care was tailored appropriately to the individual circumstances and needs of the patients in these groups.
Our key findings were as follows:
- The practice was friendly, caring and responsive. It addressed patients’ needs and worked in partnership with other health and social care services to deliver individualised care.
- Patients were satisfied with the appointment system and felt they were treated with dignity, care and respect. They were involved in decisions about their care and treatment and were happy with the care that they received from the practice.
- The needs of the practice population were understood and services were offered to meet these.
However, there were also areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.
The provider should:
- Ensure that all clinical staff are aware of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act (2005).
- Ensure that there are robust systems for feedback of lessons learnt to the non-clinical staff team following significant events.
- Ensure that there are effective systems of support in place for non-clinical staff.
- Follow their recruitment procedure by ensuring that employment references are documented.
- Ensure that staff who act as chaperones receive appropriate training to undertake this role.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice