The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Larksfield Surgery Medical Partnership

Overall: Requires improvement read more about inspection ratings

Larksfield Surgery, Arlesey Road, Stotfold, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 4HB (01462) 732200

Provided and run by:
Larksfield Surgery Medical Partnership

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

Date of assessment: 04 March to 26 April 2024 We carried out this assessment in response to concerns and risk we identified through our ongoing monitoring of the service. We found one breach of the regulations, in relation to governance. The practice’s governance arrangements and processes for identifying and managing risks, issues and performance were not always effective. These included risks relating to fire, Legionella, infection prevention and control, medical emergencies, the appropriate and safe use of medicines, and for making sure staff had the skills, knowledge, and experience to carry out their roles safely and effectively. The systems the practice had in place to make sure staff had the information they needed to deliver safe care and treatment were not always effective. Patients’ needs were not always assessed, and care and treatment were not always delivered in line with national guidance. People could not access the care and treatment they needed when they needed it. Services were not organised and delivered in ways that met patients’ needs, offered individuals continuity and person-centred care, and overcame barriers in accessing care and treatment. The practice culture did not promote the delivery of high-quality sustainable care. People told us they felt complaints were not listened to use to make improvements. Staff were not always supported to implement the learning and changes identified in response to significant events and complaints. Compassionate, inclusive, and capable leadership was not evident at all levels. Staff told us they felt able to speak up but that their voice may not be heard. There was no clear vision for the practice that had been shared with staff. In instances where CQC have decided to take enforcement action, we will publish this information on our website after any processes have been concluded.

4 July 2017

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of Larksfield Surgery Medical Partnership on 20 September 2016. The overall rating for the practice was good with requires improvement for safe.

The full comprehensive report from the September 2016 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Larksfield Surgery Medical Partnership on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This inspection was an announced focused follow up inspection carried out on 4 July 2017 to confirm that the practice had carried out their plan to meet the recomendations for improvement that we identified in our previous inspection on 20 September 2016.

The areas identified as requiring improvement during our inspection in September 2016 were as follows:

The practice were told they should:

  • Establish a system that will ensure all Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) alerts are appropriately reviewed and acted on.
  • Review arrangements in place to monitor the updating of medical records.

Overall the practice is now rated as good in all areas.

Our focused inspection on 4 July 2017 showed that improvements had been made and our key findings across the areas we inspected were as follows:

  • There was an open and transparent approach to safety. The practice had improved the system to manage, review and action patient safety alerts. For example, those received from the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
  • Risks to patients were assessed and well managed. The practice had implemented a system to review and monitor the changes made to patients’ records after they had been updated by clerical staff.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

20 September 2016

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Larksfield Surgery Medical Partnership on 20 September 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. However, arrangements in place for the management of alerts from the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) were inconsistent.
  • In most cases risks to patients were assessed and well managed. However, we saw that the practice did not have a system in place to review or monitor the changes made to patients’ records after they had been updated by clerical staff.
  • 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.
  • The practice had identified 324 patients as carers, which was approximately 2.4% of the practice list. There was a carers lead who was proactive in identifying patients with caring responsibilities.
  • Members of the patient participation group (PPG) we spoke with were positive about the practice and the care provided.
  • The practice met regularly with the PPG and responded positively to proposals for improvements.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

  • Establish a system that will ensure all MHRA alerts are appropriately reviewed and acted on.
  • Review arrangements in place to monitor the updating of medical records.


Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice