5 January 2018
During a routine inspection
This practice is rated as Good overall. (Previous rating January 2016 – 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 at Southway Surgery on 5 December 2018 as part of our inspection programme.
At this inspection we found:
- The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice recognised where systems and processes had worked well and improved their processes where appropriate.
- 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 found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it. For example, the practices GP patient survey results demonstrated a positive variation compared with local and national averages for questions relating to access to care and treatment.
- Patients were proactively signposted to local clubs such as social prescribing charities, lunch clubs at the local church, tea dances, keep fit classes and art classes to reduce social isolation and increase well being.
- There was a strong focus on continuous learning, improvement and involvement at all levels of the organisation.
- Staff feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Staff acknowledged that the practice was a busy place to work but added that it was a good place to work.
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
- Continue to review multidisciplinary communication and working relationships to improve awareness of practice and local child safeguarding issues.
- Review governance systems to ensure accurate records are kept which reflect the action and discussion held at review.
- Consider increasing the clinical audit and quality improvement programme.
- Review ways all staff have an opportunity to participate in feedback about the practice.
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.