This practice is rated as Good overall. (Previous rating 01 2015 – Good)
The key questions at this inspection 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 Central Gateshead Medical group on 7 June 2018 as part of our current programme on inspection.
At this inspection we found:
- The practice had some 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.
- 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.
- Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
- Patients reported that they were treat with dignity and respect, involved in decisions about their care and treatment and able to access care when they needed it.
- There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.
We saw an area of outstanding practice:
- The practice hosted a weekly patient social group which was attended by approximately 18 core members. The group was open to any patient registered with the practice but was primarily aimed at patients who may be at risk of social isolation. Activities included gardening, quizzes, theatre trips and charity fundraising.
The areas where the provider should make improvements:
- Take steps to assure themselves that locum clinicians employed by the practice are up to date with mandatory training requirements.
- Assure themselves that all potential health and safety risks to staff and patients are documented and assessed.
- Consider ways to improve Quality Outcomes Framework clinical exception reporting rates to ensure they are comparable with local and national averages.
Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice
Please refer to the detailed report and the evidence tables for further information.