Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Ashingdon Medical Centre on 3 March 2016. Overall the practice was rated as good but required improvement for providing safe services.
During our last inspection we found the provider had not ensured that all risks to patients were assessed and managed. In particular, specific risk assessments for health and safety, the control of substances hazardous to health and legionella. The provider was asked to remedy these and a requirement notice for these improvements was issued.
We also asked the provider to improve their identification of patients who were carers.
Following the inspection an action plan was put in place by the practice to ensure the timely progression and resolution of the concerns highlighted.
On 21 October 2016 we conducted a desk top review and found;
- The practice had revised their environmental risk assessment. This included an assessment of a broad range of risks such as hazardous substances, slips and trips, moving and handling and the management of clinical waste. All areas had identified actions, these had been assigned to a named individual, dates for completion set, progress reports provided or confirmation that the actions had been completed.
- The practice had revised their legionella assessment in March 2016 (Legionella is a term for a particular bacterium which can contaminate water systems in buildings).
- We found the practice had introduced a carer’s champion. The practice had spoken to their staff to increase their awareness of carers and the services available to them. The Healthcare assistant ensured all patients were asked if they were a carer as part of their new patient check. All identified carer’s had been invited to receive their influenza vaccination and had accepted.
We were satisfied that the practice had made the required improvements.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice