14 June 2016
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Town Centre GP Surgery on 14 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.
- 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.
- Feedback from patients was positive. They 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.
- Outcomes from national patient surveys showed the practice was performing broadly in line with local and national averages in most areas.
- The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
- There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.
- There was a positive culture and learning environment, with a clear emphasis on learning in a blame free environment.
- The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.
The areas where the provider should make improvement are:
- Review the process for new patient health checks to ensure they include appropriate clinical testing and consideration as appropriate.
- Continue work to identify and support those patients who are carers.
- Continue patient engagement initiatives to raise awareness and support patients to attend for cancer screening.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice