The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

The Armada Family Practice

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Whitchurch Health Centre, Armada Road, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 0SU (01275) 832285

Provided and run by:
The Armada Family Practice

All Inspections

6 July 2023

During a monthly review of our data

We carried out a review of the data available to us about The Armada Family Practice 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 The Armada Family Practice, you can give feedback on this service.

28 November 2019

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out an announced focused inspection at The Armada Family Practice on 28 November 2019 as part of our inspection programme.

We carried out an inspection of this service following our annual review of the information available to us including information provided by the practice. Our review indicated that there may have been a significant change (either deterioration or improvement) to the quality of care provided since the last inspection.

This inspection focused on the following key questions: Effective, Responsive and Well Led; and all six patient population groups.

Because of the assurance received from our review of information we carried forward the ratings for the following key questions:

  • Safe - Good
  • Caring - Good

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. However, exception reporting coding for patients with some long term conditions was inaccurate; and the rate of uptake for cervical cancer screening was below target.
  • 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. However, some patients found it difficult to get through to the practice by phone.
  • 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 action to improve the uptake of cervical cancer screening for eligible women.
  • Continue action to improve accuracy of exception report coding.
  • Continue action to improve patient satisfaction especially in relation to access by phone.

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

5 February 2016

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at the Armada Family Practice on the 3 November 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good but the safe domain was rated as requires improvement. This was because not all the personnel employed to carry on the regulated activity had the appropriate checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service and the practice did not hold the required specified information in respect of persons employed by the practice as listed in Schedule 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

We carried out a desktop inspection on 5 February 2016 to review the action the provider had taken to address these issues.

Our key findings were as follows:

• The provider had undertaken the appropriate checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service and ensured the required information was available in personnel files.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

3 November 2015

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at the Armada Family Practice on the 3 November 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good but the safe domain was rated as requires improvement.

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 there were urgent appointments available the same day.
  • The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
  • 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.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

  • Identify a clinical lead who can liaise with the local infection prevention teams to keep up to date with best practice.
  • Review the policies and procedures so that relevant information is available and easily accessible for staff.
  • Establish an overall management lead for the nursing team.

The areas where the provider must make improvement are:

  • Make sure personnel employed to carry on the regulated activity have the appropriate checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service and the practice holds the required specified information in respect of persons employed by the practice as listed in Schedule 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice