1 September 2016
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Richard Pool on 1 September 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.
Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:
- 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.
- Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
- There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events, however not all incidents were recorded.
- Risks to patients were assessed and well managed, with the exception of those relating to recruitment checks, training and storage of cleaning equipment.
- The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
- The practice is in the process of transitioning from a single handed GP to a partnership and as a result there wasn’t a clear leadership structure however staff felt informed and 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.
The areas where the provider must make improvement are:
- Ensure that there is a robust system in place for recording significant events.
- Ensure recruitment arrangements include all necessary employment checks for all staff, including temporary staff.
- Ensure that storage areas are suitable and equipment stored appropriately, including the cleaners cupboard.
- Ensure that GP and staff training is monitored to ensure that training appropriate to job role is completed including that all GPs have completed level three safeguarding children training.
The areas where the provider should make improvement are:
- Ensure that the leadership structure is communicated to all staff and roles and responsibilities are clear.
- Ensure that a confidentiality agreement is in place for third parties including buddy practice.
- Continue to pro-actively identify carers and ensure that they are identified on the clinical system.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice