Winchester GP

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 11 July 2018 to ask the service the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this service was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations, However some aspects of the service could be improved.

Are services effective?

We found that this service was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this service was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this service was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this service was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations. However some aspects of the service could be improved.

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the service was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Winchester GP provides private GP services to self-funded and privately insured patients who are also registered with an NHS GP. Services include, but are not limited to; wellness screening and health checks, sexual health checks, and diagnosis and treatment of long term conditions.

The services manager is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

We received 17 Care Quality Commission comment cards. These were positive regarding the staff, efficiency of service, care delivered and the caring attitude of the staff. Many stated that the service was professional, friendly and thorough and they would recommend the service to others.

Our key findings were:

• Patients records were stored electronically and were encrypted to ensure they are safe and secure and adhered to data protection legislation.
• Patients who used the service had an initial consultation where a detailed medical history was taken from the patient. Patients and others who used the service were able to access detailed information regarding the services offered and delivered by the provider.
• The service had undertaken a review of referrals made to specialists to measure how effective and appropriate recent referrals were.
• The provider made extensive use of patient feedback as a measure to monitor and improve services.
• The website for the service was very clear and easily understood. In addition, it contained valuable information regarding treatments available and fees payable.
• The service had implemented a ‘daily sign off’ system which ensured all actions for all patients had been completed by the end of each day.
• The practice offered a range of health checks with a GP.
• Patient satisfaction with the standard and quality of services received was high.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Review systems of checking patients’ identity and take reasonable steps to check adults have parental authority
• Implement mandatory training for staff to include Mental Capacity Act 2005 training.
• Introduce arrangements to undertake clinical audits to improve care and treatment for patients.
• Review systems that identify and mitigate potential risks to patients’ safety.