16/12/2015
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Maria Mercedes Malpica Gontad on 16 December 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.
Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:
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Staff assessed patient’s needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance.
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Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment. Staff were supported in their roles and were kept up to date with training and professional development.
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Staff were aware of procedures for safeguarding patients from the risk of abuse.
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Systems were in place to deal with emergencies and all staff were trained in basic life support.
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There were systems in place to reduce risks to patient safety. For example equipment checks and fire safety practices.
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Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in decisions about their care and treatment.
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Recent improvements to the appointments system meant that patients found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was good continuity of care.
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The practice provided a range of enhanced services to meet the needs of the local population and they planned to increase these.
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There was a clear leadership and structure and staff understood their roles and responsibilities.
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Complaints were investigated and responded to appropriately.
Areas where the provider should make improvements:
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Review clinical staffing, in particular nursing, to ensure that this is sufficient to meet the needs of patients.
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Implement a more effective system to record/demonstrate the actions taken in response to significant events. This should include clearly documenting: the process of investigation, the conclusions reached and actions taken including the reporting of events for wider learning.
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Demonstrate attempted improvements to patient carethrough the completion of two cycle clinical audits.
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Review the equipment in place to support patients who are physically disabled.
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Review the arrangement of the reception and waiting area to ensure patients’ privacy and confidentiality is protected.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice