Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Parkside Medical Practice on 1 March 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.
Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:
- 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.
- There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events, but the outcomes from these were not always documented and shared.
- Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
- GP Patient survey results showed that patients did not always feel that they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and involved in their care and decisions about their treatment and it was difficult to make an appointment with a named GP. The practice was aware of this and had taken steps to improve patient outcomes.
- Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
- Urgent appointments were 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 upon. The practice was in the process of making significant changes to meet patient’s needs.
- The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.
The areas where the provider should make improvement are:
The practice should continue to review the results of patient satisfaction surveys and ensure that it can meet the needs of the patient population in the future and improve outcomes.
The practice should ensure that outcomes from significant events are documented and shared with the staff team.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice