Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
Haddenham Medical Centre is located in purpose built premises which opened in 2005. There is a commercial pharmacy located in the same building. Approximately 8,000 patients are registered at the practice. We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of the practice on 10 December 2014. This was the first inspection of the practice since registration with the CQC.
Patients we spoke with were positive about the care they received. Some of the patients we spoke with were unclear about the appointment system at the practice. The practice results for the national GP patient survey 2013 were below the clinical commissioning group (CCG) and national average. The national survey had been carried out at a time of significant change within the practice. A GP had retired and locum GPs were working until a new partner was appointed. The practice had undertaken a short satisfaction survey in August 2014 and the results of this showed a 20% increase in the satisfaction ratings compared with the previous national survey.
We spoke with six patients during the inspection. We met with three members of the patient participation group. We spoke with four GPs, a GP in training and seven members of practice staff.
Haddenham Medical Centre was rated good overall.
Our key findings were as follows:
- the practice had systems in place to identify, assess and manage risks to patient’s safety. Medicines were safely stored, recorded and administered and the practice was following relevant guidelines to reduce the risk of cross infection.
- GPs and nurses followed national guidelines when delivering care.
- patients we spoke with and those who completed comment cards told us care was delivered with compassion and dignity.
- staff were appropriately trained and demonstrated sound knowledge of their roles and responsibilities. Clear lines of management responsibility were evident.
- the practice responded to patient concerns relating to access to appointments and changes had been made to the appointment system.
We saw an area of outstanding practice:
- flexible appointments were available for patients who relied on voluntary transport to bring them to and from appointments enabling older patients and those from rural communities to receive medical advice and treatments.
In addition the provider should:
- introduce a system to confirm necessary action has been taken in relation to medicines alerts and other national safety alerts
- consider the introduction of a stock control log for the medicines held in the medicines cupboard.
- re-issue guidance for patients on how to access appointments and the availability of on the day appointments for urgent medical needs.
- review their policy on undertaking criminal records checks for administration staff who carried out chaperone duties.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice