The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Alexandra Medical Centre

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

1 Short Street, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 3UH (0121) 585 5188

Provided and run by:
Alexandra Medical Centre

All Inspections

7 December 2023

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out an announced focused inspection at Alexandra Medical Centre on 7 December 2023. Overall, the practice is rated as good.

Safe – good

Effective - good

Caring – rating of good carried forward from previous inspection.

Responsive - good

Well-led – good

Following our previous inspection on 6 August 2015 the practice was rated good overall.

The full reports for previous inspections can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Alexandra Medical Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Why we carried out this inspection

We carried out this inspection in line with our inspection priorities.

How we carried out the inspection

This inspection was carried out in a way which enabled us to spend a minimum amount of time on site.

This included:

  • Completing clinical searches on the practice’s patient records system (this was with consent from the provider and in line with all data protection and information governance requirements).
  • Reviewing patient records to identify issues and clarify actions taken by the provider.
  • Requesting evidence from the provider.
  • A site visit.

Our findings

We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service 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 found that:

  • Safeguarding systems were in place and staff demonstrated a clear understanding of the reporting and recording processes.
  • We found the premises were well maintained, appeared visibly clean and tidy and there were appropriate infection prevention and control arrangements in place.
  • There was a system in place to manage safety alerts, however this required strengthening to ensure historical alerts were revisited and accurately coded on the system.
  • Structures, processes, and systems to support good governance were in place, however we identified gaps in mandatory training which required further oversight.
  • Where we identified gaps in systems and processes, the practice responded in a timely manner to reduce risks to patients and staff.
  • Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
  • Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
  • Patient feedback through the National Patient Survey was positive in relation to access and the provision of care.
  • There was a strong emphasis of working with partners to tackle health inequalities.
  • The practice provided a supportive culture with clear direction for the future of the service.

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

  • Take action to increase the uptake of cervical screening.
  • Take action to review and accurately code safety alerts.
  • Improve the system in place to review patients with long term conditions who are due for monitoring checks.
  • Take action to complete mandatory training requirements.
  • Take action to ensure patient records are accurate, complete and contemporaneous.

Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.

Dr Sean O’Kelly BSc MB ChB MSc DCH FRCA

Chief Inspector of Health Care

5 May 2015

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Alexandra Medical Centre on the 5 May 2015.

Overall the practice is rated as good. Specifically we found the practice to be good in providing care that was safe, effective, caring and responsive and well led. It was also good for all population groups.

Our key findings were as follows:

  • The practice had robust arrangements in place to ensure patients received a safe service. Risks to patient safety were effectively managed. The practice investigated, acted upon and learnt form incidents that occurred.
  • The practice was effective in providing positive outcomes for patients. Patient care was provided by staff who had received appropriate training. The practice worked with other health and care providers to deliver co-ordinated care.
  • Patients we spoke with told us that staff provided a caring service. They us that they were treated with dignity and respect, their privacy maintained and that staff were friendly and helpful.
  • Practice staff responded to the various patient groups and tailored care to meet patient’s needs. GPs carried out clinical audits and made changes to patients care and treatments to ensure best practice. Information and feedback from patients was used to promote good systems of care.
  • Practice staff had a clear vision to deliver high quality care and promote good outcomes for patients. This was evident when speaking with patients and staff during our inspection. Staff had lead roles and responsibilities and were supported in carrying out their roles effectively.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice