Archived: Backwell Medical Centre

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of Backwell and Nailsea Medical Group at Backwell Medical Centre on 10 February 2015. We also carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at the Backwell and Nailsea Medical Group at Brockway Medical Centre in Nailsea.

Overall the practice is rated as good.

Specifically, we found the practice to be good for providing safe, well-led, effective, caring and responsive services. It was also good for providing services for older patients, those with long term conditions, mothers babies and young patients, those of working age including, the recently retired and students. It was also good for providing services to patients with poor mental health and those whose circumstances may make them vulnerable.

Our key findings were as follows:

• Risk assessments were conducted for all areas of the practice. Staff received training in risk assessment and had compiled a health and safety manual and policy document.
• Staff knew who the lead GP was for safeguarding and demonstrated an understanding of their role and responsibilities in relation to the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
• There were clinics for chronic disease management including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, diabetes and smoking cessation.
• External services operated in the medical centre for continence management, midwifery, physiotherapy, podiatry and urology, along with mental health, osteopathy and diet management.
• Patient feedback on the comment cards we received was positive.
• The reception manager told us no one was refused to be seen if they requested a same day appointment for an urgent problem.
• There was a clear leadership structure with named members of staff in lead roles
• Audits were conducted as part of research projects and in response to guidelines issued by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

We saw an area of outstanding practice:

• The PPG compiled a leaflet for patients entitled ‘How to get the best out of your doctor’s appointment’.

However, there was an area of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

The provider should:

Ensure out of date medicines and needles are disposed of.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP 

Chief Inspector of General Practice