22 September 2015
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at St Andrews Group Practice on 22 September 2015.
Overall the practice is rated as good.
Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:
- Pre-bookable and urgent appointments were available the same day.
- The practice had good facilities including disabled access to first floor consulting rooms.
- Information about services and how to complain was available in the practice leaflet and on their website. The practice sought patient views about improvements that could be made to the service.
- Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment. Information was provided to help patients understand the care available to them.
- The practice safely and effectively provided services for all patient groups. The staff were caring and ensured all treatments being provided followed best practice guidance.
- Weekly educational meetings took place for all staff.
- Daily meetings for all clinical staff took place which was managed by the on call GP.
However there were areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.
Importantly the provider should:
- Ensure any alerts are acted on and a system is in place to ensure these are completed.
- Ensure practice changes and future arrangements are communicated for clinical and administration staff.
- Ensure record keeping for significant events in respect of actions taken is clear, concise and positive outcomes are recorded.
- Ensure infection control audits including hand wash audits are completed and there is a nominated infection control lead appointed at the practice.
- Ensure arrangements are in place for checking emergency medicine held at the practice.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice