The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Dartford East Health Centre Also known as Dr Shimmins and partners

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Pilgrims Way, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1QY (01322) 421480

Provided and run by:
Dartford East Health Centre

All Inspections

6 July 2023

During a monthly review of our data

We carried out a review of the data available to us about Dartford East Health Centre on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.

This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.

If you have concerns about Dartford East Health Centre, you can give feedback on this service.

11 July 2019

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dartford East Health Centre on 11 July 2019 as part of our inspection programme.

This inspection looked at all of the following key questions.

We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:

  • what we found when we inspected
  • information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and
  • information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.

We have rated this practice as good overall and good for all population groups.

We found that:

  • The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
  • Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
  • Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
  • The practice organised and delivered services to meet patients’ needs. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
  • The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centre care.

Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should:

  • Continue to embed the process for recording the immunisation status of appropriate staff.
  • Improve the patient experience of accessing appointments at the practice by telephone.
  • Continue to work through the action plan to reduce the referral backlog and embed the new system to help prevent this from building up again.

Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.

Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP

Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care

28 October 2014

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

A comprehensive inspection was undertaken at Dartford East Health Centre on 28 October 2014.

Dartford East Health Centre is located in Dartford, Kent. Approximately 14,500 are registered with the practice.

During our visit we spoke with a range of staff which included four GPs. We spoke with seven patients during the inspection. We spoke to two members of the patient participation group.

We found that overall, the practice offered a good level of service to all of the patient population groups who received services from the practice.

Our key findings were as follows:

  • The practice is rated as good for safe. Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and report incidents and near misses. Lessons were learned and communicated widely to support improvement. Information about safety was recorded, monitored, appropriately reviewed and addressed. Risks to patients were assessed and well managed. There were enough staff to keep people safe. The practice was clean and medicines were managed appropriately.
  • The practice is rated as good for effective. Data showed patient outcomes were at or above average for the locality. NICE guidance is referenced and used routinely. People’s needs are assessed and care is planned and delivered in line with current legislation. This includes assessment of capacity and the promotion of good health. Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and further training needs have been identified and planned. However the provider may like to note that not all staff had completed an induction. The practice can identify all appraisals and the personal development plans for all staff. Multidisciplinary working was evidenced.
  • The practice was rated as good for responsive, patients were happy with the current appointment system and types of appointments available. Patients said they could obtain an appointment when they needed one and they were able to get through on the telephone.
  • The practice was rated as good for well led. The practice engaged patients and staff sufficiently in the operation of the service or ensured that staff had received appropriate ongoing learning and development opportunities to enable them to provide effective care, treatment and support to patients.

In addition the provider should:

  • Ensure that all staff joining the practice undergo and complete induction training

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice