England’s Chief Inspector of General Practice has welcomed improvements in the quality of services provided by The Cheylesmore Surgery in Quinton Park, Coventry.
In September 2016, inspectors identified concerns with regard to the leadership, effectiveness and safety of the practice. As a result the practice was given an overall rating of Inadequate and placed into special measures.
The latest inspection which took place in August 2016 concluded the practice had addressed all areas of concern. It has now been awarded an overall rating of Good. The practice was rated as Good across all areas for being responsive, well-led, effective, safe and caring.
A full report of the latest inspection has been published.
Inspectors found that since the original inspection the practice had taken significant steps to improve leadership, with a focus on improving the quality and safety and effectiveness of its services to patients.
Examples of key findings and improvements included:
- Governance arrangements had been introduced which included systems for assessing and monitoring risks and the quality of service provision.
- Systems had been implemented to ensure that housebound patients were identified for appropriate review of their healthcare needs.
- Staff had access to appropriate policies and guidance in order to carry out their roles in a safe and effective manner.
- Communication with other stakeholders, such as care home managers, had improved.
- Arrangements for storing medicines had been strengthened.
- Safeguarding processes had been tightened and multi-disciplinary meetings took place on a regular basis.
- Arrangements for making contact with bereaved families had been improved.
Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice, said:
“It was disappointing that our inspection in September 2016 highlighted concerns, particularly in relation to whether it was safe, effective and well-led.
“I am very pleased to see that since then, the practice has made significant progress, which has led to a much better service for patients resulting in a new rating of Good and a removal from Special Measures. The service has improved vastly and is now Good across all five domains.
“Patients told us that the GPs and nurses were very caring and treated them with dignity and respect.
“Data from the in-house survey carried out in April 2017 showed a marked improvement in areas identified as below average in the National GP Patient Survey published in July 2016.
“The GP partners reviewed the practice’s performance on a regular basis and decided on future strategy. A schedule of regular multi-disciplinary, clinical and whole practice meetings had been introduced.
“Systems had been introduced for the sharing of information with out of hours services particularly in relation to vulnerable and special patients who might need access to out of hours care. In addition, practice staff had met with the manager of a local care home to review communication issues. Staff at the home told us that communication had improved as a result.
“It is clear that the practice took our findings seriously, seeking external advice to help it improve and working hard to implement the necessary changes. All of the staff should be extremely proud of what they have achieved and I applaud the dedication and commitment they have shown to improving the care of their patients.”
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I applaud the dedication and commitment they have shown to improving the care of their patients.
Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice