24 February 2016
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at L85060 – Dr Vriend and Partners on 24 February 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.
- 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 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 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.
- When there were unintended or unexpected safety incidents, patients received reasonable support, truthful information, a verbal and written apology and were told about any actions to improve processes to prevent the same thing happening again.
- In the toilets patients could place a red dot on a urine sample bottle with their name to signify they wished to speak confidentially to staff about concerns for their safety.
We saw three areas of outstanding practice:
The patient information centre contained a well–resourced lending library with books on general health matters, equipment for health checks and various health information leaflets. We saw that the library was well used throughout the inspection and improved patients’ awareness of services, such as bereavement and counselling.
The practice made arrangements for patients and their families who were affected by domestic abuse or violence. They displayed contact details for support groups in every room. In the toilets patients could place a red dot on a urine sample bottle with their name to signify they wished to speak to staff about concerns for their safety. We saw that there had been an increase in patients using this service.
Staff had lead roles that improved outcomes for patients such as a care co-ordinator and a carer’s champion. Cruse Bereavement Care have access to rooms for booked sessions.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice