Archived: Cross Hills Group Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Cross Hills Group Practice on 11 November 2015. Overall the practice is rated as requires improvement.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report incidents and near misses.
• Data showed patient outcomes were low compared to the national average. For example, influenza vaccination uptake for vulnerable groups were lower than that of other practices nationally and unplanned admissions were higher than national.
• The majority of patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect.
• Information about services was available. However, there were no information leaflets in normal or large print for patients who may have a visually impairment.
• Urgent appointments were usually available on the day they were requested.
• The practice had a number of policies and procedures to govern activity.

• While the practice had not proactively sought feedback from patients it did have an active patient participation group.

The areas where the provider must make improvements are:

• Ensure that arrangements are in place to minimise risks associated with infection prevention and control.
• Ensure that consultant letters are managed promptly and effectively.
• Ensure the safe management of all medicines in the practice including those held in doctors bags.
• Proactively seek patient feedback about the practice services and care.

In addition the provider should:

• Improve the patient experience of accessing the practice by telephone and the appointment system.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice