Archived: Dr V Agarwal's Practice Also known as The Mound Medical Centre

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr V Agarwal’s Practice on 28 October 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. However, there was no system in place to ensure results were received for all samples sent for the cervical screening programme or to monitor the inadequate sample rate for specimens sent for testing.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance.
• Staff had been trained to provide them with 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 had identified only 14 patients as carers (0.85% of the practice list). Written information was available to direct carers to the support available to them.
• 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.
• 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.

There are areas where the provider should make improvements:

• The provider should record batch numbers of blank electronic prescriptions placed in individual printers.

• The provider should implement a process to ensure that results were received for all samples sent for the cervical screening programme and to monitor the inadequate sample rate of specimens sent for testing.

• The provider should display notices in the waiting area informing patients that interpreting services were available for patients who do not have English as a first language.

• The provider should review how patients with caring responsibilities are identified and recorded on the clinical system to ensure information, advice and support is made available to all carers registered with the practice.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice