Archived: The Welby Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Welby Practice on 9 August 2017.

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 a system in place for reporting and recording significant events.

• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed, with the exception of those relating to fire safety and legionella.
• Staff we spoke with 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 July 2017 national GP patient survey showed patients felt involved in planning and making decisions about their care and treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain was available. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• Quality improvement had been carried out but we saw limited evidence that audits were driving improvements to patient outcomes.
• 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 the requirements of the duty of candour. Examples we reviewed showed the practice complied with these requirements.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Complete the work required to ensure staff and patients are safe. For example, in regard to remedial actions for fire safety and legionella. Advise the Care Quality Commission when the work has been completed.

• Complete the medication reviews for patients on medicines for NSAIDS and anti-coagulation medicines to ensure the safe prescribing and monitoring of medicines for patients.

• Review the current systems in place to ensure all clinicians are kept up to date with national guidance and guidelines embed the new process for clinical meeting minutes to include safety alerts and updates on NICE guidance.

• To strengthen the system for clinical audits and include more structure and a fuller analysis to ensure quality improvement.

• Ensure all staff have completed safeguarding training relevant to their role.

• Ensure all staff have access to meeting minutes.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice