17 May 2018
During a routine inspection
This practice is rated as Good overall. (Previous inspection July 2015 – 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
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr CP Fairlamb and Partners on 17 May 2018 as part of our inspection programme.
At this inspection we found:
- The practice had systems to keep patients safe and safeguarded from abuse.
- 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 they provided. They 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 National GP Survey were mostly local and national scores.
- The practice organised and delivered services to meet patients’ needs. They took account of patient needs and preferences.
- Access to appointments was good. Patients were able to access care and treatment from the practice within an acceptable timescale for their needs.
- There was a focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation. The practice proactively used performance information to drive improvement.
We saw two areas of outstanding practice:
- Staff were actively engaged to monitor and improve quality and outcomes. The practice had carried out a high level of clinical audit for its size. The audits were well written and clinically relevant showing a determination to improve the service to patients and make prescribing safer. There were several two-cycle clinical audits. These included audits regarding: urinary tract infections (UTI); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency; and the use of ACE inhibitors (medications used to treat high blood pressure). As a result of these audits templates were designed for clinical staff to improve prescribing and reduce the risk of errors. There were rescue packs compiled with information for patients with chronic conditions such as COPD and management plans for diabetics. The aim of these were to improve their self-care to manage their condition. Protocols were developed and displayed on the walls of every clinical room, such as safeguarding information.
- The practice had a rate of 39% for patients accessing services on-line. The original target was 10%. They had received a letter of congratulations from NHS England who used the practice as a good example for high levels of patients using this facility.
Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice