Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at College Lane Surgery, Ackworth, Pontefract and the practice branch surgery at Thorpe Audlin on 19 February 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.
- Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
- The practice had developed services which met specific local need.
- 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 generally found it easy 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.
We saw areas of outstanding practice:
- The practice had established a weekly teenage health clinic. This offered a confidential, parent/carer free service for young people and was held in a separate area away from other patients. In the past 12 months 65 young people had attended these clinics for health advice and treatment. The practice had in place processes with regard to ensuring safeguarding controls and Fraser and Gillick competences were met.
- The practice had a proactice approach to services for patients with dementia and their families. For example the practice had:
- It had instituted a wide ranging dementia screening programme and offered effective support to those subsequently diagnosed with a cognitive impairment.
- Worked hard to raise community awareness of dementia and staff were aware of the needs of this group of people and organisational and physical adjustments and improvements had been put in place to meet their needs.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice