We carried out a review of the data available to us about Buckfastleigh Medical Centre on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Buckfastleigh Medical Centre, you can give feedback on this service.
This announced focused inspection was carried out on 5 July 2017 to confirm that the practice had made improvements to meet the actions falling below a regulatory breach in our previous comprehensive inspection on 24 February 2016. In February 2016 the overall rating for the practice was Good. The full comprehensive report for the February 2016 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for The Buckfastleigh Medical Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk .
This report covers our findings in relation to improvements made since our last inspection.
Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:
The practice had clearly defined systems to minimise risks to patient safety. A new pharmacist had been employed to oversee medicines management.
Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment. The practice had introduced a new on line tool to assist with the provision of staff training
The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. The practice was clean, tidy and hygienic. We found that suitable arrangements were in place which ensured the cleanliness of the practice was maintained to a high standard.
Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Buckfastleigh Medical Centre on Wednesday 24 February 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.
Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:
The practice team was forward thinking and
Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
The practice promote the ‘Green prescription’ service which allows patients to access outdoor group activities on Dartmoor including walking, cycling and arts to promote wellbeing and reduce the need for repeated appointments. The practice also encouraged a group of patients with mental health issues to use the practice garden to grow vegetables and plants to improve their mood.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.
We saw one area of outstanding practice:
The GPs had introduced a two page questionnaire given to patients during the flu vaccine clinics. The questionnaire was supported by basic physiological measurements such as blood pressure and pulse. Any irregular results were immediately followed up by further tests and investigations. This simple screening had identified 15 patients with irregular heart patterns which had resulted in further interventions to reduce the chances of a stroke occurring. The form also screened patients for conditions including dementia and prompted urine tests for patients with chronic kidney disease. The GPs were presently looking at how to introduce this service for patients who opted not to have a flu vaccine.
The areas where the provider should make improvement are:
Review the findings of the infection control risk assessments and include these on the business plan.
Review the emergency medicines kept at the practice and taken on home visits taking into consideration the rural location of the practice and proximity of nearest hospital and ambulance paramedic cover.
Ensure nursing staff have access to training in the mental capacity act to support their understanding.
Continue with the safeguarding children training programme to ensure all clinicians have the required level of training.
Chief Inspector of General Practice