We carried out an announced review of St Stephens Health Centre on the 14 October 2022.
Following our previous inspection on 5 May 2016, there were areas we said the provider should improve and the practice was rated as good overall, and for all key questions.
The full reports for previous inspections can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for of St Stephens Health Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Why we carried out this inspection
We carried out this inspection in line with our inspection priorities. This was a review of information without undertaking a site visit to follow up on patient feedback that was brought to our attention, and on areas we recommended the practice should improve at our previous (5 May 2016) inspection.
We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:
- What we found when we carried out our review.
- Information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services.
- Information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.
We have rated the practice as good overall.
Safe - not inspected - rating of good carried forward from previous inspection.
Effective – not inspected - rating of good carried forward from previous inspection.
Caring – not inspected - rating of good carried forward from previous inspection.
Responsive - good.
Well-led - good.
How we carried out the inspection
This inspection was carried out by requesting evidence from the provider and conducting staff interviews using video conferencing.
We rated the practice as good for providing responsive and well-led services because:
- The provider sought and monitored findings from patient feedback including its Patient Participation Group (PPG), the national GP patient survey, and the Friends and Family Test (FFT).
- Patient feedback was used to review and improve access. Patients were able to access care and treatment within an appropriate timescale for their needs and the telephone system had been upgraded.
- Infection control issues identified at our previous (2016) inspection were addressed.
- Arrangements for infection control and cleaning had been reviewed and were appropriate.
Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should:
- Evaluate the impact of recent changes to improve systems for patients to access services, and continue to improve if necessary, including telephone access.
Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.
Dr Sean O’Kelly BSc MB ChB MSc DCH FRCA
Chief Inspector of Hospitals and Interim Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services