We carried out an announced inspection at Whitehouse Surgery on 22 March 2022. Overall, the practice is rated as good.
Safe - Good
Effective - Good
Caring - Good
Responsive - Good
Well-led - Good
Why we carried out this inspection
This inspection was a comprehensive inspection as part of our inspection programme. The inspection focussed on the five key questions: are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?
How we carried out the inspection
Throughout the pandemic CQC has continued to regulate and respond to risk. However, taking into account the circumstances arising as a result of the pandemic, and in order to reduce risk, we have conducted our inspections differently.
This inspection was carried out in a way which enabled us to spend a minimum amount of time on site. This was with consent from the provider and in line with all data protection and information governance requirements.
This included
- Conducting staff interviews using video conferencing.
- Completing clinical searches on the practice’s patient records system and discussing findings with the provider.
- Reviewing patient records to identify issues and clarify actions taken by the provider.
- Requesting evidence from the provider.
- A short site visit.
Our findings
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.
We found that:
- The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
- Safeguarding processes were in place to protect children and vulnerable adults.
- Health and safety and fire risk assessments had been carried out. The provider was working with the landlord of the premises to complete the actions identified.
- Learning was identified from significant events and complaints.
- Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
- The published cervical cancer screening data included patients who had previously been registered with other GP practices. The practice were proactively contacting eligible patients to encourage attendance for cervical cancer screening.
- There was a programme of quality improvement in place and local needs were recognised.
- Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
- There was a wellbeing advisor employed by the practice to offer support to patients with additional needs.
- There was information on the practice website of what support was available in the practice. However, there was no information or links to external websites or organisations.
- Patient reviews left on the NHS Website were positive about the care received.
- The practice adjusted how it delivered services to meet the needs of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
- An external provider was commissioned to provide video consultations from 7am to 10pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.
- The premises were new and accessible to patients with disabilities.
- The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care.
- The practice had recognised the challenges they faced opening during the COVID-19 pandemic and having a growing patient list size. Actions had been put in place to address these.
Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should:
- Complete the actions identified in the health and safety and fire risk assessments.
- Continue to promote the uptake of cervical cancer screening.
- Review support groups information on the practice website.
Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.
Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP
Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care