Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Hawthorn Surgery on 3rd December 2015.
Overall the practice is rated as good
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Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:
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The practice had a clear vision which had quality, safety and personalised care as its top priorities. The strategy to deliver this vision had been shared with stakeholders and was regularly reviewed and discussed with staff.
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There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents and near misses. All opportunities for learning from internal and external incidents were maximised.
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Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
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The practice used innovative and proactive methods to improve patient outcomes, working with other local providers to share best practice. For example, the practice in collaboration with the practice which shares the health centre provided a ‘flu afternoon’ in a local community centre. Tea and buns were provided and the local Fire Brigade attended to provide advice on fire safety. Patients for either practice would be seen in the session.
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Feedback from patients about their care was consistently and strongly positive.
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Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
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Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
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Patients said they 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.
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The practice worked closely with other organisations and with the local community in planning how services were provided to ensure that they meet patients’ needs. For example a children’s asthma service is a joint venture with six other practices
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The practice implemented suggestions for improvements and made changes to the way it delivered services as a consequence of feedback from patients and from the patient participation group. The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. Information about how to complain was available and easy to understand
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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.
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Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance, and had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
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The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.
We saw several areas of outstanding practice including:
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Locum GP pack was considered by the inspection team to be excellent and comprehensive and made it easier for locum GPs to settle into work in the practice.
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The practice was able to demonstrate good outcomes for children who were classed as obese through their ‘obesity in children project’.
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The practice is working with six other practices collaboratively to improve care and outcomes for children with asthma, implementing NICE guidelines.
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The Family Football Initiative was developed as an over 50’s walking football club and was started in November 2014 to support patients who felt isolated. This developed into its current family focus.
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Daily Mile initiative is in the process of being set up to address isolation and mental health. This will run every weekday and will start at a local park at 1pm, with all patients welcome to join.
However, there was one area where the provider should improve:
Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice