Archived: Belle Vale Medical Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Belle Vale Medical Practice on 28 April 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Belle Vale Medical Practice provided safe, effective, responsive care that was well led and addressed the needs of the population it served. The service was caring and compassionate and patients spoke highly of it.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• Systems were in place to ensure incidents and significant events were identified, investigated and reported. Staff understood and carried out their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents and near misses. Lessons learnt from the investigation of safety incidents were disseminated to staff. Infection risks and medicines were managed safely.

• People’s needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered in line with current legislation and guidance. Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and any further training needs had been identified and planned. Patients experienced clinical outcomes that were in line with or above the national average.

• Patients said they were treated with care, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment. Information was provided to help patients understand the care available to them.

• The practice provided good care to its population that was responsive to their health needs. Patients were listened to and feedback was acted upon. Complaints were managed appropriately. Patients said the on line booking system had improved access to appointments. Most patients were satisfied with the opening hours, continuity of care and availability of appointments.

• There was a clear leadership structure, staff enjoyed working for the practice and felt well supported and valued. The practice monitored, evaluated and improved services. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on. There was an active patient participation group.

There were areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

The provider should:

• Ensure its recruitment arrangements are in line with Schedule 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 to ensure necessary employment checks are in place for all staff and the required information in respect of workers is held. This should include obtaining information about any physical or mental health conditions which are relevant to the person’s role.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice