Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Gerald Eko on 11 April 2016. 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 an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
- Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
- Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
- Patients told us that they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
- Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
- Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with the GP and that 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 feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.
- The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.
We saw one area of outstanding practice:
Childhood immunisation rates were higher than local and national averages. For example, childhood immunisation rates for the vaccinations given to all children under five years old was 100%. To achieve this the practice had developed a close working relationship with the health visitors.
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
To keep a log of all blank prescriptions within the practice.
To have a system and policy in place to ensure results are always reviewed in a timely manner when the GP is on leave.
To document the use of chaperones in patient records.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice