Archived: Millstream Medical Centre

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Millstream Medical Centre on 20 February 2019, as part of our inspection programme and because the service provider changed in January 2018. This is our first inspection of the service under the current service provider.

Our judgement of the quality of care at this service is based on a combination of what we found when we inspected, information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.

We have rated this practice as good overall and for the provision of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care. We also rated the population groups as good.

We found that:

• The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
• The practice performance for the treatment of some long-term conditions such as diabetes and hypertension was below national averages and some of their exception reporting rates were above national averages.
• Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
• The practice organised and delivered services to meet patients’ needs. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
• The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centre care.

We found some examples of outstanding practice. For example:

• The practice leaders had an inspiring shared purpose, a clear vision and a credible strategy to provide high quality sustainable care.
• They had reviewed the service and agreed a service development programme which was clearly documented. It incorporated new care pathways, analysis of strengths and weaknesses, month by month plans and targets for implementing change, and a clear structure for monitoring and reviewing progress.
• The practice made full and effective use of technology and we saw numerous examples of the practice developing or initiating the development of technological development which had subsequently been shared with other GP practices. The practice ensured the IT system supported the practice methodologies rather than them adapting their practices to suit the IT system.

Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should:

• Ensure the recent changes to their prescription monitoring protocol is embedded in the practice.
• Maintain and improve performance as measured by the quality outcomes framework.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGPChief Inspector of General Practice