The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Hall Grove Practice Also known as Hall Grove Group Practice

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

4 Hall Grove, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 4PL (01707) 328528

Provided and run by:
Hall Grove Practice

All Inspections

6 July 2023

During a monthly review of our data

We carried out a review of the data available to us about Hall Grove Practice on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.

This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.

If you have concerns about Hall Grove Practice, you can give feedback on this service.

6 December 2019

During an annual regulatory review

We reviewed the information available to us about Hall Grove Practice on 6 December 2019. We did not find evidence of significant changes to the quality of service being provided since the last inspection. As a result, we decided not to inspect the surgery at this time. We will continue to monitor this information about this service throughout the year and may inspect the surgery when we see evidence of potential changes.

14/03/2018

During a routine inspection

This practice is rated as Good overall. (Previous inspection July 2016 – Good)

The key questions are rated as:

Are services safe? – Good

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? - Good

As part of our inspection process, we also look at the quality of care for specific population groups. The population groups are rated as:

Older People – Good

People with long-term conditions – Good

Families, children and young people – Good

Working age people (including those recently retired and students – Good

People whose circumstances may make them vulnerable – Good

People experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia) - Good

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Hall Grove Practice on 14 March 2018 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions.

At this inspection we found:

  • The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes.
  • The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence-based guidelines.
  • Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. Results from the latest National GP Patient Survey results showed patients were satisfied with their interactions with reception staff and consultations with GP and nurses.
  • Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.
  • Governance structures, systems and processes were effective and enabled the provider to identify, assess and mitigate risks to patients, staff and others.
  • There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.

The area where the provider should make improvements is:

  • Establish a process to ensure portable appliance testing is undertaken on a regular basis.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

5 July 2016

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Hall Grove Practice on 5 July 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

  • There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
  • Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
  • Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had 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.
  • Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that 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.
  • 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.

We saw one area of outstanding practice:

  • The practice had carried out extensive work towards identifying and supporting people with a learning disability. The practice offered longer appointments, made easy read information available to patients and had increased the number of completed annual health checks for people with a learning disability. The practice had completed 58 health checks between 2015/2016. Health checks included a review of the individual’s mental health and social support and referrals were made for further support as required. The practice sent easy read leaflets to care homes and held flu clinics at flexible times which had increased the uptake of flu vaccinations for people with a learning disability. This work resulted in the practice receiving a Purple Star Award in July 2016. This locally developed quality kite mark had been developed by service users, carers, the University of Hertfordshire Business School and the Community Learning Disability Service in Hertfordshire, to award services for providing good quality, accessible health care for adults with a learning disability.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

  • Ensure that verbal complaints are recorded and reviewed.
  • Establish a process to ensure a review of medical consumables to ensure they are within the expiry date recommended by the manufacturers.
  • Ensure all of the required actions and recommended procedures are completed in accordance with the Legionella risk assessment for both the main practice and branch surgery.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice