Staunton and Corse Surgery

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of Staunton and Corse Surgery on 3 February 2016. We found that the practice had breached a regulation relating to the safe delivery of services.

The practice required improvement for the provision of safe services to ensure that the risks associated with prescription security had been appropriately assessed. The practice also needed to implement a system to identify, assess and mitigate risks arising from cross infection this included the requirement to complete an infection control risk assessment required by the relevant code of practice. Overall the practice was rated as good.

Following the inspection the provider sent us an action plan detailing how they would improve the prescription security and infection control management systems ensuring they reflect national guidelines.

We carried out a desktop review of Staunton and Corse Surgery on 16 May 2016 to ensure these changes had been implemented and that the service was meeting the regulations previously breached. For this reason we have only rated the location for the key question to which this related. This report should be read in conjunction with the full inspection report from 3 February 2016.

We found the practice had made improvements since our last inspection on 3 February 2016 and they were meeting the regulations that had previously been breached.

Specifically the practice was operating safe systems in relation to prescription security and infection control management. This included:

• The practice reviewed prescription security and had implemented new processes supported by a policy amendment.

• The practice improved infection control management by completing a robust infection control audit.

During our previous inspection we also highlighted areas where the practice should consider improvement and these have been improved as follows:

• The practice has established and operates a robust fire evacuation plan to include named fire marshals.

• All Standard Operating Procedures have been signed.

• The practice has ensured that there is a robust and consistent system in place for the dissemination of learning from prescribing and, or dispensary incidents.

We have changed the rating for this practice to reflect these changes. The practice is now rated good for the provision of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led services.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Staunton and Corse Surgery on 3 February 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Specifically the practice was rated good for the delivery of effective, caring responsive and well led services but requires improvement for the provision of safe services.

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. However, improvements to recording the action required and learning from dispensary and prescribing incidents needed to be implemented. Also the practice did not have an up to date completed infection control audit.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• 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 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. (Duty of Candour is a legal duty to ensure providers are open and transparent with patients who use services. It also sets out specific requirements providers must follow when things go wrong with care and treatment, including informing patients about the incident, providing reasonable support, providing truthful information and an apology when things go wrong).

The areas where the provider must make improvements are:

• The practice must review prescription security.

• The practice must complete a robust infection control audit, detailing and undertaking any relevant actions as required.

In addition the provider should:

• Establish and operate a robust fire evacuation plan to include named fire marshals and ensure fire drills are undertaken at the frequency identified within the fire risk assessment.

• Ensure all Standard Operating Procedures are signed by relevant staff.

• Ensure there is a robust and consistent system in place for the dissemination of learning from prescribing and, or dispensary incidents.

• Reflect on the results of the National GP patient’s survey in respect of patient access to service issues.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice