We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at West Barnes Surgery on 19 October 2017. The overall rating for the practice was Good, but the practice was rated as Requires Improvement in the safe domain. The full comprehensive report on the October 2017 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for West Barnes Surgery on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Following the October 2017 inspection, the practice submitted an action plan, outlining what they would do to meet the legal requirements in relation to the breach of regulation 12 (Safe care and treatment), 17 (Good governance) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
We undertook this announced focussed inspection on 15 June 2018 to check that the practice had followed their plan and to confirm that they now met the legal requirements. This report covers our findings in relation to those requirements.
Overall, the practice remains rated as Good, and is now rated as Good for the Safe domain.
Our key findings were as follows:
- During the previous inspection in October 2017, we found that the practice had failed to address some risks identified in their fire risk assessment. When we returned to the practice in June 2018 we found that all identified risks had been addressed.
- During the previous inspection, we found that the practice was unable to provide evidence to show that they had considered, and put plans in place to mitigate, some risks identified in their infection prevention and control (IPC) risk assessment. When we returned to the practice in June 2018 we saw evidence that a log of actions to address IPC risks was being kept, and that regular internal IPC audits were being conducted.
- During the previous inspection in October 2017 the practice was unable to demonstrate how they ensured that staff were aware of their responsibilities in respect of IPC. When we returned to the practice in June 2018 we found that staff were receiving regular IPC updates from the IPC lead and that all staff had attended formal IPC training.
- During the previous inspection in October 2017 we found that the practice had not implemented the regular water testing recommended following their Legionella risk assessment. When we returned to the practice in June 2018 we found that two of the three monthly water monitoring tests were being carried-out; however, one of the tests recommended had been overlooked.
- During the inspection in June 2018 we found that the practice had not considered the risks relating to the storage of liquid nitrogen.
- During the previous inspection in October 2017 we found evidence of patient test results which were awaiting review by a GP who was not scheduled to attend the practice until the following week. When we returned to the practice in June 2018 we saw evidence that a buddy system was in place amongst GPs to ensure that all test results were reviewed in a timely way during staff absence.
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
- Complete all regular testing of their water system recommended by their Legionella risk assessment.
Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice