Archived: Lawley Medical Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Lawley Medical Practice on 24 February 2016. A breach of legal requirement was found and a requirement notice was served. After the comprehensive inspection the practice sent us an action plan to say what they would do to meet legal requirements in relation to:

• Regulation 19 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Fit and proper persons employed.

We undertook a focused inspection on 15 June 2016. We did not visit the practice but reviewed information sent to us by the provider. The inspection was to check that the practice had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to those requirements. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Lawley Medical Practice on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Our key findings were as follows:

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks had been obtained for all clinical staff who worked at the practice and acted as chaperones.
• The DBS check protocol had been reviewed and amended to include a clear timeline for new staff to bring in appropriate documentation, and the subsequent consequences of not doing so.
• The practice had introduced a ‘Safer Recruitment Self-Declaration Form’ as a condition of employment.

Overall the practice is rated as good and good in the safe domain. This recognises the improvements made to the quality of care provided by this service.

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 Lawley Medical Practice on 24 February 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good with requires improvement in safe.

Our key findings 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, with the exception of those relating to recruitment checks.
• 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.
• People told us they were able to get on the day appointments when they needed them. However, they did comment that they had to wait for a pre-bookable appointment with their GP of choice.
• 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 also areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

Importantly, the provider must:

• Ensure that appropriate recruitment checks are carried out prior to employment.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice