Archived: Chalkhill Family Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Chalkhill Family Practice on 25 October 2017 and a second site visit was carried out on 10 November 2017 in order to collect further information. Overall, the practice is rated as Inadequate.

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

• We were not assured that staff were able to identify and report significant events and incidents. There was also no evidence that the reported significant events were communicated widely enough and so safety was not improved.

• Patients were at risk of harm because systems and processes were not in place to keep them safe. Areas of concern were found in relation to recruitment checks, medicines management and dealing with emergencies.

• Staff were aware of current evidence based guidance although we did not see evidence that NICE guidance was always discussed in meetings.

• Governance arrangements had systemic weaknesses and did not ensure the practice was run safely and effectively, and performance was not being monitored in all areas.

• The practice understood its population profile and had used this understanding to meet the needs of its population.

• The practice worked closely with other organisations and with the local community in planning services that met patients’ needs.

• Patients we spoke with 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 areas where the provider must make improvements are:

• Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

• Establish effective systems to ensure that there are no gaps in employment records.

In addition the provider should:

• Provide practice information in appropriate languages and formats.
• Display PPG information in the practice.
• Proactively identify and support patients who are carers.
• Review and update infection control audit and act on recommendations from the audit.
• Take action in response to patient feedback with regards to staff attitude.

On the basis of the ratings given to this practice at this inspection, I am placing the provider into special measures. This will be for a period of six months. We will inspect the practice again in six months to consider whether sufficient improvements have been made. If we find that the provider is still providing inadequate care we will take steps to cancel its registration with CQC.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP 

Chief Inspector of General Practice