13 July 2016
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Oakfield Surgery on 13 July 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.
- Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based 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.
- 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 named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
- The practice had adequate facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. However, the practice did not have baby change facilities.
- There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.
- The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.
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The practice worked with young females, as the area had a high pregnancy rate. The practice encouraged teenagers to come in for sexual health services, consequently this helped to reduce the under 16 conception rate and the practice was awarded a star certificate for its efforts in outstanding delivery within Bromley.
The areas where the provider should make improvement are:
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Review provision to allow those with hearing impairment to access practice services.
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Consider providing baby changing facilities.
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Review the Carers’ policy content to provide relevant and up to date contacts and services.
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Keep appropriate records of fire drills.
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Review ways to increase take up of screening, to improve patient outcomes.
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Review involvement of patients in decision making about care and treatment, to improve patient satisfaction.
Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice