The Care Quality Commission
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  • GP practice

Archived: Dr Pratim Chaudhury

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Long Road, Canvey Island, Essex, SS8 0JA (01268) 686160

Provided and run by:
Dr Pratim Chaudhury

All Inspections

27 September 2017

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

On 6 January 2016 we carried out a comprehensive inspection at Dr Pratim Chaudhury. Overall the practice was rated as requires improvement. The practice was found to be requires improvement in safe, effective and well-led, good in caring and responsive.

As a result of that inspection we issued the practice with requirement notices in relation to risks to patient safety not being assessed and managed appropriately, the governance at the practice, delivery of person centred care and continuity of care from nursing staff.

We then carried out an announced comprehensive inspection Dr Pratim Chaudhury on 27 September 2017. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

  • Risks to patients who used the service were assessed. There were numerous risk assessments in place, including fire and health and safety.

  • Medicine and patient safety alerts had been actioned.We saw that the practice held records of all safety alerts that had been received and a log that documented the date received and any action taken if applicable to the practice. The practice produced evidence of searches already conducted in response to the alerts received.

  • Practice specific policies were implemented and were available to all staff. These were updated and reviewed regularly.

  • The practice had implemented clinical audits and we saw evidence of quality improvement.

  • The practice had locum packs and checklists in place for locum recruitment. The medical indemnity for two of the locum nurses was not available on the day of the inspection. However, this was forwarded as evidence on the day of our inspection.

  • The practice had identified areas for improvement from the last inspection. Nursing staff were involved in recalling patients and ensuring a holistic approach to reviews.

  • All patients had a structured annual review to check their health and medicines needs were being met. For those patients with the most complex needs, the GP worked with relevant health and care professionals to deliver a multidisciplinary package of care.

  • A pharmacist worked in the practice for one day per week and completed medication reviews for patients.

  • The practice had launched a practice website to increase the use of online services. Patients were able to book appointments on line.

  • The practice had a comprehensive business continuity plan for major incidents such as power failure or building damage. The plan included arrangements for cover from local practices in the area should there be the need. For example, an outbreak of flu virus. Patients would be able to access services locally.

In addition the provider should:

  • Implement the procedure to ensure prescriptions are tracked throughout the practice.

  • Review the procedure to ensure that fridge temperatures are checked daily in line with the practice protocol.

  • Continue to review recruitment checks to ensure that the provider can assure themselves that staff have appropriate indemnity in place.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

6 June 2016

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Pratim Chaudhury on 6 June 2016. Overall the practice is rated as requires improvement.

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

  • Staff understood their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report incidents and near misses. However, when things went wrong, the information recorded was not in sufficient detail to be able to demonstrate the actions taken or the sharing of information with staff.
  • Risks to patients were assessed and managed, with the exception of those relating to health and safety.
  • The practice had a number of policies and procedures to govern activity, but some were out of date, overdue a review, incomplete or missing.
  • Recruitment checks had been carried out for permanent staff; however there was no locum pack in place to ensure these staff received appropriate checks or induction prior to employment.
  • There was no system in place to ensure medicine alerts or patient safety alerts were actioned.
  • Data showed patient outcomes were mixed compared to the national average. Some systems in place to monitor and review the care and treatment of patients with long term conditions varied in effectiveness. Data for the national cervical screening programme was low when compared with local and national averages.
  • There was no evidence of clinical audits or prescribing data being used to drive improvement in patient outcomes.
  • The practice did not engage with other health and social care to deliver a multidisciplinary approach to the care and treatment of patients with complex needs, although there was a meeting planned for the future.
  • There were adequate arrangements in place for dealing with medical emergencies.
  • 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.
  • Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with the only GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
  • The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
  • The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.

The areas where the provider must make improvements are:

  • Ensure significant events are recorded to detail and demonstrate actions taken and the sharing of learning outcomes.

  • Carry out a health and safety risk assessment.

  • Put systems in place to ensure patient safety and medicines alerts are acted upon.

  • Complete the formal governance arrangements including appropriate policies and guidance, and systems for assessing and monitoring risks and the quality of the service provision.

  • Carry out clinical audits and re-audits to improve patient outcomes. This includes a prescribing audit to ensure the practice is prescribing in line with best practice guidance.
  • Ensure locum staff receive appropriate checks and inductions prior to employment.
  • Ensure there are systems in place in order to provide patient care in relation to the monitoring of patient’s health conditions and to increase the uptake of health screening.
  • Continue with plans to implement a multidisciplinary approach to the care and treatment of patients with complex needs.

In addition the provider should:

  • Act on plans to enhance patient access through the use of online services.

  • Include information in the business continuity plan regarding arrangements in the event of a major incident and emergency contact numbers for staff and external organisations.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice