Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
This practice is rated as Good overall. (Previous inspection September 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 Coleford Family Doctors on 23 January 2018 as part of our inspection programme.
At this inspection we found:
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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.
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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.
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The practice held regular meetings to discuss complex cases and safeguarding issues.
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Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
We saw an area of outstanding practice:
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The practice was proactive in identifying patients at risk of diabetes. Patients at increased risk were offered a blood test to measure their average glucose levels every 12 months. They were also offered to attend a group session with one of the practice nurses who led on diabetes, for advice on healthy lifestyle and diet. This meant that the practice was not only able to proactively reduce the numbers of patients developing diabetes but offer appropriate management at the outset of the disease for those who were diagnosed with diabetes.
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
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Review and improve systems and processes in relation to the monitoring of the vaccine fridge temperature.
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Review the process for consent forms so they are in line with the most up to date guidelines.
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Identify and implement actions to improve patients’ experience.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice