This service is rated as
Good
overall.
The key questions are rated as:
Are services safe? – Good
Are services effective? – Good
Are services caring? – Good
Are services responsive? – Good
Are services well-led? – Good
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Your GP Circle on 7 January 2022 as part of our inspection programme and to provide a rating for the service.
Your GP Circle provides an independent GP consulting service to children and adults of all ages.
Our key findings were:
- The service provided care in a way that kept patients safe.
- There were effective systems in place to protect patients from avoidable harm.
- Policies and procedures were in place to support the delivery of safe services.
- The provider sought assurance and worked with the host organisation who were responsible for the premises to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
- The practice had systems and processes in place to minimise the risk of infection and had put in place additional measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Staff received appropriate training and guidance to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and equipment were available in the event of a medical emergency.
- There were systems in place for identifying, acting and learning from incidents and complaints. The provider worked well with the host organisation to support improvements where incidents and complaints crossed organisational boundaries.
- Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs. Our review of clinical records found appropriate care and treatment was being provided.
- We saw examples where information was shared with a patients NHS GP to support the safe care and treatment and continuity of care. However, the provider had not clearly risk assessed where prescribing may not be suitable without consent to share information with the patient’s NHS GP or for recording clear rationale when information is not shared with the patient’s NHS GP but may be clinically appropriate to do so.
- Patients were supported to live healthier lives, through education and support.
- The provider undertook quality improvement activity to support service improvements.
- Staff received appropriate training and competency checks and received annual appraisals to discuss any learning and development needs.
- Services available and fees were clearly displayed on the provider website.
- Staff treated patients with kindness and respect. The practice sought patient feedback and received online reviews which were positive about the service provided.
- Patient’s received timely care and treatment to meet their needs.
- Governance arrangements supported the delivery of safe and effective care.
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
- Improve systems for identifying and sharing information with a patient’s NHS GP where this may be in the patient’s best interests.
Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP
Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care