15 June 2016
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Earlsheaton Medical Centre on 15 June 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 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 did not always find it easy to make an appointment with a named GP. Urgent appointments were available the same day.
- The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
- The practice worked with other organisations and with the local community in planning how services were provided to ensure that they meet patients’ needs. For example, the practice was able to offer 24 hour blood pressure monitoring for patients with hypertension.
- 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.
The areas where the provider should make improvement are:
- Establish a programme of auditing and monitoring to check that key policies and infection prevention and control (IPC) practices are being implemented appropriately.
- Carry out Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) risk assessments.
- Label clinical waste bags in line with current legislation and guidance.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice