Archived: Smallbrook Surgery

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Smallbrook Surgery on 19 October 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• The practice recognised the value of learning from significant events. The practice carried out a thorough analysis of the significant events to look for root cause, ways to prevent any reoccurrence and identify any improvements needed.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• The practice had employed two specialist nurses to provide a patient focussed approach to patients over 75 who may have health risks associated with frailty. The nurses conducted home assessments, worked with other providers to provide the best care package, conducted health checks and focussed on prevention and health education.
• 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.
• 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.
• The practice had undertaken a number of analyses of the patient’s satisfaction and experience, they had looked at the length the appointment times and increased them and looked for any trends or areas for improvement.
• 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 proactively 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.
• This practice was taken over by the Westbury Group Practice in September 2015.

The areas where the provider should:

• Ensure the system for checking of emergency medicines is reviewed.

• Ensure the exception rates are reviewed.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice