Archived: Sutton Valence Surgery

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Sutton Valence Surgery on 23 August 2017. Overall the practice is rated as outstanding.

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

• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and a system for reporting and recording significant events. The practice shared learning from safety incidents with other nearby practices on a regular basis.
• The practice had clearly defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety.
• Staff were aware of current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Results from the national GP patient survey showed patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment. The results from the survey were significantly higher than national and local averages.
• Information about services and how to complain was available. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.

• 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 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 and acted upon feedback from staff and patients.
• The provider was aware of the requirements of the duty of candour. Examples we reviewed showed the practice complied with these requirements.

There were areas of outstanding practice.

• The practice supported elderly patients living independently to engage in regular physical activity. The practice provided provision such as a walking for health group and a beginner cycling for health group. The practice recognised that this also helped to reduce social isolation in this population group.

• There was a weekly medicines delivery round to housebound, usually elderly patients. This was carried out by a member of the PPG, or in their absence by the principal GP.

• The practice had a substantial number of patients from Romani Gypsy and travelling communities. They adjusted the appointments system to make it easier for patients from those communities to access healthcare.

• The practice had pronunciation guidance for staff for commonly cited Polish and Bulgarian names.

There was one area where provider should make improvements:

• Review procedures for the recording of minor surgery operations to ensure that all relevant details are included.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice