Archived: Dr G Horton's Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr G Horton's Practice on 07 July 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 and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• The practice premises were exceptional, had received a nationally recognised sustainability award, supported excellent infection control standards and was designed to meet the varied need of the practice population.
• 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.
• Despite the challenges of high levels of deprivation the practice performed well in relation to patient outcome indicators compared to other practices locally and nationally.
• Feedback from patients about their care was consistently positive.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• 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.
• Most patients said they found it easy to obtain an appointment with urgent appointments available the same day. Getting through on the phone was the main issue raised.
• 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 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 improvement are:

• Consider whole staff meetings in which all staff groups have the opportunity to formally contribute to the running and development of the practice.
• Review and implement ways in which the identification of carers might be improved so that they may receive support.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice