We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Amersham Vale Practice on 18 January 2019 as part of our inspection programme.
We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:
- what we found when we inspected
- information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and
- information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.
We have rated this practice as good overall, and good for providing safe, effective, caring responsive and well led services.
We have rated the practice as good for providing effective care to people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable but outstanding for providing responsive care.
We have also rated it as good for providing effective and responsive care to older people, people with long term conditions, families, children and young people, working age people and people experiencing poor mental health.
We found that:
- The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
- Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
- Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
- The practice organised and delivered services to meet patients’ needs. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
- The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centre care. Leaders had the capacity and skills to deliver high-quality, sustainable care. They had a shared purpose, strived to deliver and motivated staff to succeed.
- Feedback from patients who used the service, those close to them and external stakeholders was continually positive about the way staff cared for patients.
- Staff told us they felt supported and engaged with managers and there was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.
We saw one area of outstanding practice:
- The practice had increased the flexibility of access to appointments for vulnerable patients. Those on the register of vulnerable patients were seen within an hour of attending the practice, or received an urgent call back. The practice provided a twice weekly outreach clinic, to those who were homeless/rough sleepers, at a support service for the homeless. Patients were provided with a 20 minute appointment that took account of both physical and any mental health needs.
Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should:
- Improve the identification of carers to enable this group of patients to access the care and support they need.
- Carry out regular water temperature recording and monitoring.
- Identify ways of increasing the percentage of children aged one year old who have completed a primary course of immunisation for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Pertussis, Haemophilus influenza type b.
- Identify ways of increasing the percentage of eligible women who receive cervical cancer screening.
Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.
Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice