The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Archived: Dr Atchison and Partners

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Queens Road Surgery, 8 Queens Road, Buckland, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 7NX (023) 9266 5134

Provided and run by:
Dr Atchison and Partners

All Inspections

17 January 2017

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Atchison and Partners (also known as Queens Road Surgery) on 21 January 2016. Overall the practice was rated as good. The practice was rated good for providing effective, caring, responsive and well-led services, but requires improvement for providing safe care.

This was because the practice needed to update infection control polices and training for staff according to their role, and carry out actions in response to infection control audits to improve patient outcomes. The practice also needed to complete the recommendations in their 2015 fire assessment to improve fire safety

The full comprehensive report on the January 2016 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Dr Atchison and Partners on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This inspection was an announced focused inspection carried out on 17 January 2017 to confirm that the practice had carried out their plan to meet the legal requirements in relation to the breaches in regulations that we identified in our previous inspection on 21 January 2016. This report covers our findings in relation to those requirements and also additional improvements made since our last inspection.

The practice is now rated as ‘good’ in the safe domain. Overall the practice is remains rated as good.

Our key findings at this inspection were as follows:

  • The practice recorded all significant events in detail, with learning points relayed to staff at meetings and recorded in minutes with action points if applicable.
  • The practice had updated the safeguarding policy and adult safeguarding training has now been given to administration and reception staff, with online training available to all staff to update their learning when needed.
  • Training and Disclosure and Barring Service checks were completed for those staff that undertook the role of chaperone.
  • The infection control policy had been updated and improvements evidenced in a recent infection control audit.
  • The practice had not completed all the actions of the fire risk assessment. The practice had undertaken some of the required actions and had scheduled works for the outstanding actions, for example the replacement of fire doors and installation of hand rail for the emergency escape route.

  • The building had undergone an inspection of electrical installation and wiring this year and was now passed and certified for electrical safety.

There was one area where the provider should make improvement:

  • To review the fire recommendations to complete the action plan that has been put in place.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

21 January 2016

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Atchison and Partners on 21 January 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 a system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
  • Risks to patients were assessed and 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.
  • Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
  • 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 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 must make improvement are:

  • The provider must update infection control policies and training for staff as according to their role and carry out actions in response to infection control audits.

  • The provider must complete the recommendations in the February 2015 fire risk assessment for fire safety.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

  • The provider should review and update policies and procedures and ensure all subjects are covered such as for vulnerable adult safeguarding.

  • The practice should also ensure that formal vulnerable adult safeguarding training is provided for all staff.

  • Staff who carried out chaperoning should have proper training and undergone DBS checks.

  • Any minutes of meetings for sharing learning should be detailed and clearly recorded.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

21 July 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Following an inspection of Dr Atchison and Partners in December 2013 the service was identified as not being compliant with one of the essential standards.

We found that paper copies of patient records were not stored securely and therefore patients were not protected from the risks of unauthorised access.

On 17 July 2014 we spoke with the practice manager who confirmed that the service had carried out remedial action to correct this failing and invited us to return.

At this inspection we found that patients were protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment because patient records were stored securely and only accessed by authorised personnel.

5 December 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service, this included one active members of the Patient Participation Group (PPG), and with clinical and non-clinical staff.

People we spoke with were positive about the service they received. People told us they didn't have any problems getting an appointment. People told us that the staff were caring, respectful and polite. One person told us 'They are always very nice, I have no complaints, I have always been with the same doctor and [they] are very good'. People said that during consultations the doctors explained issues and answered questions in a way they could understand. One person told us 'I am always given a choice, they are happy if I ask questions. They always explain things well'. Another told us 'The interaction with staff is good. They communicate really well. They are very respectful of the decisions I make'.

People received care that ensured their safety and welfare. People were assessed and care was provided to meet their individual needs. Diagnostic tests were carried out if necessary and appropriately followed up.

People who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and respond appropriately.

The provider operated a robust recruitment policy and ensured appropriate checks were carried out.

The practice monitored the quality of the service by performing audits and seeking the views of the patients by surveys and engagement in the Patient Participation Group (PPG).

Paper medical records were not stored securely.