The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Abbey Surgery

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

28 Plymouth Road, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 8BU (01822) 612247

Provided and run by:
Abbey Surgery

All Inspections

6 July 2023

During a monthly review of our data

We carried out a review of the data available to us about Abbey Surgery on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.

This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.

If you have concerns about Abbey Surgery, you can give feedback on this service.

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out an announced focussed inspection at Abbey Surgery practice on 22 October 2019 as part of our inspection programme.

We decided to undertake an inspection of this service following our annual review of the information available to us. This inspection focused on the following key questions:

Is the service effective?

Is the service well led?

Because of the assurance received from our review of information we carried forward the ratings for the following key questions:

Is the service safe?

Is the service caring?

Is the service responsive?

The practice was previously inspected in June 2016 and in the report published in August 2016.

We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:

•what we found when we inspected

•information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and

•information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.

We have rated this practice as good overall and good for all population groups.

We found that:

  • The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
  • Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
  • Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
  • The practice organised and delivered services to meet patients’ needs. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
  • The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centre care.

Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.

Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP

Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care

8 June 2016

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced focused inspection at the Abbey Surgery on 8 June 2016. This was to review the actions taken by the provider as a result of our issuing one legal requirement.  In December 2015, the practice did not operate effective audit and governance systems to evaluate and improve outcomes for patients. There were gaps in the assessment and monitoring of patients, when the practice excluded some patients from reviews, which could increase risks relating to the health safety and welfare of service users. After the inspection, the practice sent us a plan showing how these issues would be addressed and we have monitored this with the practice.

At this inspection, we reviewed the actions taken since the last inspection.   Overall the practice has been rated as GOOD following our findings, with effective now rated as GOOD.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

  • The provider had introduced systems to regularly assess and monitor the quality of all services provided and identify, assess and manage all risks related to health, welfare and safety.

  • The level of clinical audit had increased at the practice with an audit programme in place for the whole year.

  • The practice had reviewed the exception reporting procedures for those patients diagnosed with dementia and diabetic patients who were under hospital care. A sample of 15 patient records provided assurance that reviews were appropriately planned and met patient needs.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

16 December 2015

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Abbey Surgery, Tavistock on 16 December 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

  • Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report incidents and near misses.
  • 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.
  • Urgent appointments were always available on the day they were requested however some patients reported long waits beyond their appointment times for routine and urgent appointments.
  • Although some audits had been carried out, we saw no evidence that audits were driving improvement in performance to improve patient outcomes.
  • The practice had proactively sought feedback from patients.
  • The majority of patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
  • Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was good continuity of care.
  • The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.

The areas where the provider must make improvements are:

  • Establish and operate effective audit and governance systems to evaluate and improve practice. This is in respect of having a programme of clinical audits and re-audits to demonstrate improved patient outcomes.
  • Assess monitor and and mitigate risks relating to the health safety and welfare of service users. This is in respect of reviewing practice procedures for excluding patients from the quality outcomes framework programme so that all eligible patients are offered a review of their health.

In addition the provider should:

  • Review arrangements for the signing of repeat prescriptions, to ensure that good practice and guidance is followed.
  • Initiate a carers register in line with good practice and guidance.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

21, 22, 26 November 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with or received written feedback from nine people who were patients at either Abbey Surgery or Bere Alston Surgery. They were all positive about their care and treatment. Their comments included "I received good advice and treatment", "Good caring staff, never had any problems", and "I realise that one has to wait past the appointment time, but my opinion is that if the Dr doesn't rush those in front of me I know they won't rush me".

People told us they felt they were treated with respect and dignity.

Staff knew where to find the local safeguarding procedures and they were confident about how to take appropriate action if there were any suspicions of abuse.

We found the premises at both Abbey and Bere Alston surgeries were satisfactory to ensure people's safety.

There were appropriate arrangements in place which ensured that staff kept their knowledge and skills up to date. Staff spoke about the supportive environment and confirmed that they had access to adequate training.

The practice was organised and well led. There were effective systems in place to monitor the quality of the service provided and patients felt able to give feedback about the service they received.

Complaints were dealt with appropriately although not always in a timely manner.