Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
In July 2016 during a comprehensive inspection of Highfield Surgery in Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire, we found concerns related to systems and processes which managed the safe and effective delivery of services. Following the inspection the provider sent us an action plan detailing how they would improve the areas of concern. The previous inspection in July 2016 had found two breaches of the regulations relating to the safe and effective delivery of services.
Using information provided by the practice we carried out a desktop review of Highfield Surgery on 2 November 2016 to ensure these changes had been implemented and that the service was meeting regulations.
The ratings for the practice have been updated to reflect our findings following the improvements made since our last inspection in July 2016; the practice was now meeting the regulations that had previously been breached.
Specifically the practice was:
- Operating safe systems in relation to health and safety. The practice had established and was now operating an effective system to assess, manage and mitigate the risks identified relating to legionella and the storage of liquid nitrogen.
- Training arrangements were consistent; there was a system to identify when staff had training and when it would need to be refreshed. Appropriate appraisal arrangements were now in place, appraisals had been completed and there was evidence of performance monitoring and identification of personal and professional development.
Highfield Surgery had taken full heed of the findings of the inspection undertaken in July 2016 and is now rated good for the provision of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led services. All six population groups have also been re-rated following these improvements and are also rated as good.
Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice