The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Dr PF Mullen's Practice Also known as Penny Lane Surgery

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

7 Smithdown Place, Liverpool, Merseyside, L15 9EH (0151) 733 2800

Provided and run by:
Dr PF Mullen's 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 Dr PF Mullen's 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 Dr PF Mullen's Practice, you can give feedback on this service.

22 October 2019

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out an announced inspection at Dr PF Mullen's Practice on 22 October 2019. We carried out an inspection of this service due to the length of time since the last inspection. Following our review of the information available to us, including information provided by the practice, we focused our inspection on the following key questions:

  • Effective
  • Well Led

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

  • Safe
  • Caring
  • Responsive

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 received 20 CQC feedback cards about patient care and experience, these cards were given to patients before and during the inspection. Comments made by patients were extremely positive about the services provided and the practice staff.

We have rated this practice as Good overall and good for all population groups.

We rated the practice as Good for providing effective services because:

  • Patients’ needs were assessed, and care and treatment were delivered in line with current legislation, standards and evidence-based guidance.
  • The practice had a comprehensive programme of quality improvement activity and routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care provided.
  • The practice was able to demonstrate that staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles.
  • Staff worked together and with other organisations to deliver effective care and treatment.
  • Staff were consistent and proactive in helping patients to live healthier lives.
  • The practice always obtained consent to care and treatment in line with legislation and guidance.

We rated the practice as Good for providing well-led services because:

  • There was compassionate, inclusive and effective leadership at all levels. They had the capacity and skills to deliver high quality sustainable care.
  • The practice had a clear vision and credible strategy to provide high quality sustainable care.
  • The practice had a culture which drove high quality sustainable care.
  • There were clear responsibilities, roles and systems of accountability to support good governance and management.
  • There were clear and effective processes for managing risks, issues and performance.
  • There was a demonstrated commitment to using data and information proactively to drive and support decision making.
  • The practice involved the public, staff and external partners to sustain high quality and sustainable care.
  • There was evidence of systems and processes for learning, continuous improvement and innovation.

The areas where the provider should make improvements:

  • The provider should complete an appropriate risk assessment to identify a list of medicines that are not suitable for the practice to stock. The list should be kept under review.

Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.

15 October 2014

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

This is the report from our inspection of Dr PF Mullen’s practice. Dr PF Mullen’s practice is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide primary care services.

We undertook a planned, comprehensive inspection on the 15 October 2014 at the practice location Dr PF Mullen’s practice (also known as Penny Lane Health Centre). We reviewed information we held about the practice and spoke with patients, representatives of the patient participation group, GPs, staff, and the local Clinical Commissioning Group pharmacy lead involved with the practice.

The practice was rated as Good overall. There were some elements of the practice that could be improved but the practice provided good care to the population it served.

Our key findings were as follows:

  • There were systems in place to mitigate safety risks. The premises were clean and tidy. Systems were in place to ensure medication including vaccines were appropriately stored and in date.

  • The practice was effective. Patients had their needs assessed in line with current guidance and the practice promoted health education to empower patients to live healthier lives.

  • The practice was caring. Feedback from patients and observations throughout our inspection highlighted the practice staff were kind, caring and helpful.

  • The practice was responsive. The practice operated an open access clinic for patients three days a week and currently provided some evening appointments for patients who had difficulty attending because of their employment.

  • The practice was well led. The practice worked well together as a team and had regular staff meetings and training.

However, there were also areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements. 

The provider should:

  • Consider having oxygen available for medical emergencies.
  • Ensure all policies and procedures are up to date.
  • Ensure there is a written record for all staff appraisals including nurses and Health Care Assistants.
  • Risk assess whether clinical staff currently employed require Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice