The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Lawton House Surgery

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Bromley Road, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 1QG (01260) 275454

Provided and run by:
Lawton House Surgery

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

Date of assessment: 26 September to 8 November 2024. Lawton House Surgery is an NHS GP practice located in Cheshire, the level of deprivation was 7 out of ten, the higher the number the less deprived the area is. There were approximately 13,000 people registered with the service at the time of our assessment. We conducted this assessment due to receiving information of concern. We assessed 14 quality statements across the safe and effective key questions and have combined the scores for these areas with scores from the last inspection. At this assessment, we have rated the practice good overall. We found staff supported people to live healthy lives and provided them with support and information on their care and treatment. Staff involved people in decisions about their care and treatment and provided them advice and support. Staff regularly reviewed people’s care and worked with other services to achieve this. However, recruitment, medication optimisation, and consent processes were not always effective.

10/02/2017

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 Lawton House Surgery, formerly known as 'Dr Dutton and Partners' on 4 December 2014. The full comprehensive report on the December 2014 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Lawton House Surgery on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

At our previous inspection on 4 December 2014 we rated the practice as ‘good’ overall but as ‘requires improvement’ for safety as we identified two breaches of regulation. This was because improvements were needed to the recruitment of staff as the recruitment records did not demonstrate that all necessary checks were undertaken to demonstrate staff suitability for their roles. Improvements were also needed to the fire safety systems at the premises because fire safety equipment was not properly maintained and suitable for its purpose.

This inspection was a desk-based review carried out on 10 February 2017 to confirm that the provider had carried out their plan to meet the legal requirements in relation to the breaches. This report covers our findings in relation to that and additional improvements made since our last inspection.

The findings of this inspection were that the provider had taken action to meet the requirements of the last inspection and the service is now rated as good for providing safe services. Our key findings were as follows:

  • Patients were protected against the risks associated with unsuitable staffing because the provider had a system in place to ensure that all required pre-employment checks were obtained.

  • Patients were protected against the risks associated with unsafe equipment because fire safety equipment was in place and maintained.

We also found that the provider had made a number of improvements where we had identified these. These included;

  • Increased accountability in relation to stock control and storage of prescriptions pads.

  • A more robust system for checking and recording that emergency medication and equipment are suitable for use.

  • A review of the policies and procedures available for staff to ensure they have access to the information they require.

  • The provision of a complaints policy and procedure for patients to refer to.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

4th December 2014

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

This is the report of findings from our inspection of Dr Dutton and Partners. Dr Dutton and Partners is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide primary care services.

We undertook a planned, comprehensive inspection on 04 December 2014 at the practice location. We reviewed comment cards completed by patients, spoke with patients and staff.

The practice was rated as Good. A caring, effective, responsive and well- led service was provided that met the needs of the population it served. However, improvements were needed to ensure the practice was operating safely.

Our key findings were as follows:

  • There were systems in place to protect patients from avoidable harm, such as from the risks associated with medicines and cross infection. However, improvements were needed to the recruitment of staff as the recruitment records did not demonstrate that all necessary checks were undertaken to demonstrate suitability for their roles. Improvements were also needed to the fire safety systems at the premises because the provider did not ensure that fire safety equipment was properly maintained and suitable for its purpose. We found improvements should be made to the systems for managing prescription pads, emergency medication and equipment.
  • Patients care needs were assessed and care and treatment was considered in line with best practice national guidelines. Staff were proactive in promoting good health and referrals were made to other agencies to ensure patients received the treatments they needed.
  • Patients were very positive about the care they received from the practice. They commented that they were treated with respect and dignity, staff were caring, supportive and helpful. Patients felt involved in decision making around their care and treatment.
  • The practice planned its services to meet the differing needs of patients. The appointment system in place allowed good access to the service. Improvements were needed to the premises to enable better access for patients with a disability. The GP partners were in the process of applying for funding to extend and improve the facilities to offer better disabled access and provide more room for current and further clinical services. The practice encouraged patients to give their views about the services offered and made changes as a consequence.
  • The practice had a clear vision and set of values. The practice had systems to seek and act upon feedback from patients using the service. Quality and performance were monitored, risks were identified and managed.

There were areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

Importantly, the provider must:

  • Take action to ensure its recruitment arrangements are in line with Schedule 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 to ensure the necessary employment checks are in place for all staff.
  • Take action to protect patients against the risks associated with unsafe equipment by ensuring that fire safety equipment is properly maintained and suitable for its purpose.

The provider should:

  • Ensure the serial numbers of all prescription pads are recorded and improve the systems for checking and recording that emergency medication and equipment are suitable for use.
  • Review the policies and procedures available for staff to ensure they have access to the information they require. A complaint policy and procedure should be available for patients to refer to.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice