Archived: Shelford Medical Practice

This practice is rated as Good overall. (Previous inspection published 5 May 2016 – Good.)

The key questions are rated as:

Are services safe? – Requires improvement

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? - Good

As part of our inspection process, we also look at the quality of care for specific population groups. The population groups are rated as:

Older People – Good

People with long-term conditions – Good

Families, children and young people – Good

Working age people (including those recently retired and students – Good

People whose circumstances may make them vulnerable – Good

People experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia) - Good

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Shelford Medical Practice on 15 March 2018 as part of our inspection programme.

At this inspection we found:

• The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence- based guidelines.

• The practice were high achievers for nationally reported outcomes. However, antibiotic prescribing was above local and national averages. The practice were aware of, and acting on this.

• The practice did not have oversight of risk assessments including fire, health and safety and legionella. The infection prevention and control policy was due for review in March 2017, this had not been completed and was not practice specific.

• Staff told us that they were happy to work at the practice and felt supported by the management team. Staff told us they were encouraged to raise concerns and share their views.

• Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.

• The practice had put in place a rapid access clinic due to an increase in demand of on the day appointments and patient feedback regarding availability of appointments.

• Results from the July 2017 national GP patient survey were in line with and above local and national averages. Feedback from patients we spoke with and received comments from supported these findings.

• Information on the complaints process was available for patients at the practice and on the practice’s website. There was an effective process for responding to, investigating and learning from complaints and responses to patients were timely.

• There was a focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation. The practice was a training practice for GP trainees. It was also a teaching practice for medical and nursing students.

The areas where the provider must make improvements are:

• Establish and operate effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice