Southgate Medical Group is rated as good overall. (Previous inspection 25 March 2015 rated as good overall).
The key questions are rated as:
Are services safe? – Requires Improvement
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 Southgate Medical Group on 21 February 2018. The inspection was carried out as part of our inspection programme.
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.
- Patient records we saw were clear and accurate in most instances; however one record did not contain full contemporaneous information used to support decisions made.
- Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
- The practice had appropriate facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
- Patients said they were able to book an appointment that suited their needs. Pre-bookable, on the day appointments, home visits and phone consultation services were available. However some patients felt it was difficult to get through on the phone and get a pre-bookable appointment.
- The practice recognised that the patient’s emotional and social needs were as important as their physical needs. They took an active part in social prescribing to improve the quality of patient’s health and well-being.
- Recruitment procedures kept patients safe.
- Staff had been provided with appropriate training, supported to develop new skills and received an up to date appraisal.
- Staff were positive about working in the practice.
- Patient survey results were positive and higher than average in some areas in respect of care and treatment.
There were areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.
Importantly, the provider must:
- Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.
Additionally the provider should:
- Review the collation of responses to MHRA alerts to keep a central record that demonstrates actions and outcomes.
- Keep patient feedback in respect of the appointment system and telephone access under review and take action as appropriate.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice