We carried out a review of the data available to us about Cockfosters Medical 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 Cockfosters Medical Centre, you can give feedback on this service.
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Cockfosters Medical Centre on 23 August 2016. The overall rating for the practice was good, however there was a breach of regulation identified which resulted in the rating of requires improvement for the effective domain. The full comprehensive report for the inspection carried out in August 2016 can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Cockfosters Medical Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
This inspection was an announced desk-based review carried out on 10 May 2017 to confirm that the practice had carried out their plan to meet the legal requirements in relation to the breach in regulation that we identified in our previous inspection on 23 August 2016. This report covers our findings in relation to those requirements and also additional improvements made since our last inspection.
Overall the practice is now rated as good, including the effective domain.
Our key findings were as follows:
The practice had a failsafe system in place for the monitoring of screening results, a GP partner was the lead for the system. One sample taker had completed refresher training and the other sample taker was booked to attend training in June 2017.
The practice adheres to a carer protocol and has increased the number of carers identified to more than 1% since the inspection in August 2016.
The practice has created a prescription pad security protocol and maintains a register of serial numbers for all prescriptions received and distributed.
The practice has taken steps to improve patient satisfaction including securing a grant to update the premises. For example, the addition of an automatic door which has received positive feedback from patients.
However, there were also areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.
In addition the provider should:
Continue to monitor the rate of screening samples unsuitable for analysis by the lab and ensure this percentage is in line with or below the national average of 2.5%.
At our previous inspection on 23 August 2016, we rated the practice as requires improvement for providing effective services as the system for monitoring the results of screening samples did not include investigation, learning and outcomes when there is a high percentage of samples being identified as unsuitable for analysis by the laboratory. At this inspection we found that a system monitoring the quality of screening samples had been introduced and a significant improvement had been made in reducing the number of screening samples that are unsuitable for analysis.
Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Cockfosters Medical Centre on 23 August 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.
Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:
The practice should improve the system for monitoring results of screening samples taken, we saw evidence that the practice failed to investigate high rates of inadequate cervical smear samples and take action.
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 been trained to provide them with 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. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and 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.
The areas where the provider must make improvements are:
Ensure the system for monitoring results of screening samples includes appropriate action such as training for sample takers.
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
Review how patients with caring responsibilities are identified and recorded on the patient record system to ensure information, advice and support is made available to them.
Review audit systems in relation to prescription pads.
Take action to improve patient satisfaction of the service.
Chief Inspector of General Practice
Patients expressed their views and were involved in making decisions about their care and treatment. A patient participation forum was in place and a recent survey looked at access to appointments and changes were made. All the patients we spoke with were positive about the appointments system. One patient told us 'I get an appointment same day, it's great.'
A patient described the service as "very friendly and caring". Patients' needs were assessed and care and treatment planned and delivered in line with their individual plan of care. Processes were in place to ensure the timely review of patients with long-term conditions at specified intervals.
Patients were protected from the risk of abuse. Staff understood their responsibilities to act when they suspected a child or a vulnerable adult were at risk.
All patients we spoke to commented that the practice was clean. Guidance had been followed in relation to infection control.
Patients were protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider had appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines.