Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Cobbs Garden Surgery on 22 March 2016. 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.
We saw an area of outstanding practice:
- The practice benefitted from donations made to a local charity, the Friends of Cobbs Garden Surgery. This provided substantive funds, enabling the practice to improve outcomes for patients. For example, employing a specialist nurse for the elderly and a counsellor for patients experiencing poor mental health.
However there was one area where the provider should make improvement:
- Ensure that recently adopted procedures for managing blank prescriptions are monitored and sustained.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice