Archived: Kirkoswald Surgery

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Kirkoswald Surgery on 19 November 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• 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.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. The building had some limitations which the practice was working to address.
• 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.
• The practices ethos and practice reflected the requirements of the Duty of Candour.
• The practice was open and honest in the management of significant events and complaints.
• 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 (PPG).

• Staff are highly motivated and inspired to offer care that is kind and promotes peoples dignity. Patient's individual preferences and needs are always reflected in how care is delivered. There was a strong emphasis on providing good palliative care for patients who needed it and supporting their families at this time.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Complete a risk assessment of the window blinds used at the practice to reduce potential hazards for children and vulnerable adults.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice