This practice is rated as Good overall. (Previous inspection November 2015 – Good)
The key questions are rated as:
Are services safe? – Good
Are services effective? – Good
Are services caring? – Good
Are services responsive? – Good
Are services well-led? - Good
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Hart Medical Practice on 4 April 2018 as part of our inspection programme.
At this inspection we found:
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The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes. However, communication about significant events did not always feed through the staff team.
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The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence- based guidelines.
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Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.
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The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes.
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The practice was open and transparent, and had systems in place to adhere to the Duty of Candour.
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The practice displayed a strong commitment to multidisciplinary working and could evidence how this positively impacted on individual patient care.
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Discussion with staff and feedback from patients showed that staff were highly motivated to deliver care that was respectful, kind and caring.
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The practice organised and delivered their services to meet the needs of their patient population.They were proactive in understanding the needs of the different patient groups.
We saw areas of outstanding practice:
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The practice employed a medicines management team of three staff who dealt with all aspects of the patients medicines, working alongside the clinical commissioning group(CCG) pharmacist and technician . The team were available to patients, pharmacies, community staff and care homes. They were able to deal with queries or concerns they may have with their medication. The GP practice variation in spending (GVIS) showed that the practice was the lowest spend per patient head in Hartlepool.
The practice offered a fast response for ‘poorly’ patients not on the palliative care register. Also for patients suffering from exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients were offered open access to the practice where they were fully assessed and, if indicated, treated and monitored in the practice with nebulisers and oxygen.
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP Chief Inspector of General Practice