11 January 2016
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Abbey Lane Surgery on 11 January 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.
- 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.
The areas where the provider should make improvement are:
- The practice had a number of policies and procedures to govern activity, but some of these were overdue a review.
- The practice had measures in place to ensure that staff had access to relevant training, however some staff had not received safeguarding training in the last year.
- The practice should ensure that the tracking of patient histology is in accordance with NHS policy guidance.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice