Harrold Medical Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We previously carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of this practice on 8 March 2016. A breach of legal requirements was found. After the comprehensive inspection, the practice wrote to us to say what they would carry out the necessary actions to meet legal requirements in relation to;

• Regulation 12 Health & Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 – safe care and treatment.

From the inspection on 8 March 2016, the practice were told they must:

• Ensure that the roles of non-clinical staff, including those that carry out chaperoning, are risk assessed to determine whether criminal records checks are required.

We undertook a desk top based focused inspection at Harrold Medical Practice on 27 June 2016 to check that they had followed their plan and to confirm that they now met legal standards and requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to this requirement found to be requiring improvement. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting 'all reports' link for Harrold Medical Practice on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

We found that on the 27 June 2016 the practice now had improved systems in place.

• Practice specific protocols and procedures had been developed and implemented to manage risks associated with non-clinical staff performing chaperoning duties.
• Risk assessments were undertaken to assess the need for criminal records checks where appropriate.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGPChief Inspector of General Practice

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Harrold Medical Practice on 8 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.

• 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 were able 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.

However there were one area where the provider must make improvements:

• Ensure that the roles of non-clinical staff, including those that carry out chaperoning, are risk assessed to determine whether criminal records checks are required.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice