7 June 2016
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr J Somers Heslam & Dr C J Griffiths on 7 June 2016. 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.
- Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
- Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
- Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
- The appointment system was flexible and ensured that patients who requested to be seen on the same day were.
- Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following best practice guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with 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.
- The practice proactively managed care plans for vulnerable patients and had effective management strategies for patients at the end of their life.
- The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
- There was a clear leadership structure, staff felt supported by the management team and were an integral part of the running of the practice.
- The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.
The areas where the provider should make improvement are:
- The practice should ensure that there is an effective system in place to review patient safety updates from the Medicines Health and Regulatory Authority (MHRA).
- Put systems in place to ensure safety alerts are received by the practice and evidence of actions taken are recorded.