Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Summercroft Surgery on 9 June 2016. As a result of our findings during that visit the provider was rated as good overall and requires improvement for providing safe services. The full comprehensive inspection report from that visit was published on 2 August 2016 and can be read by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Summercroft Surgery on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
The provider submitted an action plan to tell us what they would do to make improvements and meet the legal requirements. We undertook an announced comprehensive follow-up inspection on 31 October 2017 to check that the provider had followed their plan, and to confirm that they had met the legal requirements. As a result of our findings the provider is rated good.
Our key findings were as follows:
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All staff had completed adult and child safeguarding training appropriate to their level.
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The practice had carried out a Legionella risk assessment and infection control audit which had not been conducted at the previous comprehensive inspection.
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The practice was able to demonstrate that they had obtained evidence of immunisation for several key staff which was not demonstrated at the pervious inspection.
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The practice had carried out a health and safety risk assessment and fire assessment which had not been conducted at the previous inspection.
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The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
- Staff were aware of current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment.
- Results from the national GP patient survey showed patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
- Information about services and how to complain was available. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
- 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.
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Although there was a process in place for the collection of prescriptions some staff members were unsure of it.
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Not all staff had undertaken role appropriate training, specifically infection control and information governance.
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Communication was not effective, although regular staff meetings were conducted staff spoken to on the day were unsure of some systems and processes.
There were areas where the provider should make improvements.
The provider should:
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Monitor action on processes and policy and also keep appropriate notes on patients’ files when deviating from policy or guidance.
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Review training to ensure all staff members have completed role specific training.
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Consider how best to ensure staff are aware of the practice’s prescription collection processes.
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Continue to review and improve how patients with caring responsibilities are identified and recorded on the clinical system to ensure that information, advice and support is made available to them.
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Conduct a risk assessment for emergency medicines.
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Consider reviewing communication with staff with a view to make it more effective.
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Continue to review patients access in relation to GP patient survey results.
- Improve diabetes performance.
Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice