East Hill Surgery

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at East Hill Surgery on 19 April 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• Staff members were aware how to raise concerns, and report safety incidents. The policy showed the practice complied with the requirements of the duty of candour. Safety information was recorded and any issues identified were shared with staff members.
• Risks to patients were assessed and documented. The system to assess risks included those associated with; premises, equipment, medicines, and infection control.
• Patient care was planned and provided to reflect best practice using recommended current clinical guidance.
• Patient comments were positive about the practice during the inspection and they told us treatment was with consideration, dignity and respect. Members of the practice patient participation group told us they were involved with practice development.
• Information regarding how to complain was available at the practice and in an easy to read format. A request on their practice website asked patients to fill out a form at the practice, or speak with the practice manager.
• Patient’s comments were mixed regarding making an appointment with a named GP, some patients preferred the open surgery each morning and others preferred to pre-book all their appointments. There were always urgent appointments available on the day they were requested.
• The practice had suitable facilities and equipment to treat patients and meet their requirements.
• The leadership structure at the practice was known and understood by all the staff members we spoke with. They told us they were supported in their working roles by the practice management and the GPs.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Improve the identification of patients that are carers.

• Carry out infection control audits in line with guidance

• Consolidate and use one emergency call system for staff members when dealing with an emergency situation.

• Continue to update and review all practice policies and procedures to ensure they meet current legislation and guidelines.

• Implement a system to ensure that the defibrillator shared with the neighbouring practice is checked so that it is in working order and that the adult and child pads are within their expiry dates.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice