Archived: Sheepcot Medical Centre

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Sheepcot Medical Centre on 16 November 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 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.
• The practice told us that patients with a learning disability were provided with a telephone number to a dedicated phone line in order to contact the senior practice nurse who was the lead for learning disabilities. All of these patients were offered a home visit for their annual reviews.
• Shortly after the inspection the practice told us that they had been accredited with a Purple Star award in recognition of their work with vulnerable patients. This locally developed quality kite mark had been developed by service users, carers, the University of Hertfordshire Business School and the Community Learning Disability Service in Hertfordshire, to award services for providing good quality, accessible health care for adults with a learning disability.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.

The practice should make improvements in the following areas:

• Complete a periodic review of significant events to identify trends.
• Ensure all staff complete essential training relevant to their role, for example infection prevention and control.
• Continue to monitor and improve systems in relation to the patient review and recall processes.
• Implement a system to ensure annual health checks are completed for patients who are eligible for them.
• Review signage at the reception desk to promote patient confidentiality.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice