Harrold Medical Practice

Updated 11 July 2016

The Harrold Medical Practice provides a range of primary medical services, including minor surgical procedures from purpose built premises on Peach’s Close in Harrold in rural Bedfordshire. The catchment area spans parts of the three counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire. There is a dispensary at the practice that provides medicine for patients who live more than one mile from a pharmacy.

The practice serves a population of 6,117 patients, with higher than average populations of both males and females aged 10 to 14 years and 40 to 84 years. There are lower than average populations aged 0 to 9 years and 15 to 39 years. The practice population is largely white British. National data indicates the area served is one of low deprivation.

The clinical staff team consists of one male and one female GP partner, a female salaried GP, a minor illness nurse and a practice nurse. A regular locum nurse attends the practice once a week. The clinical team is supported by a practice manager and a team of administrative support staff. The practice holds a General Medical Services (GMS) contract for providing services, a nationally agreed contract).

The practice is open between 8.30am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday. In addition to these times the practice operates extended surgery hours on Tuesdays for nurse appointments from 6.30pm to 8.15pm. Patients requiring a GP outside of normal hours are advised to phone the NHS 111 service.

Updated 11 July 2016

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We previously carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of this practice on 8 March 2016. A breach of legal requirements was found. After the comprehensive inspection, the practice wrote to us to say what they would carry out the necessary actions to meet legal requirements in relation to;

• Regulation 12 Health & Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 – safe care and treatment.

From the inspection on 8 March 2016, the practice were told they must:

• Ensure that the roles of non-clinical staff, including those that carry out chaperoning, are risk assessed to determine whether criminal records checks are required.

We undertook a desk top based focused inspection at Harrold Medical Practice on 27 June 2016 to check that they had followed their plan and to confirm that they now met legal standards and requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to this requirement found to be requiring improvement. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting 'all reports' link for Harrold Medical Practice on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

We found that on the 27 June 2016 the practice now had improved systems in place.

• Practice specific protocols and procedures had been developed and implemented to manage risks associated with non-clinical staff performing chaperoning duties.
• Risk assessments were undertaken to assess the need for criminal records checks where appropriate.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGPChief Inspector of General Practice

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 11 July 2016

Following our comprehensive inspection on 8 March 2016 we rated the practice as good for the population group of people with long-term conditions. We did not review any evidence during our desk based focussed inspection to alter this rating.

Updated 11 July 2016

Following our comprehensive inspection on 8 March 2016 we rated the practice as good for the population group of families, children and young people. We did not review any evidence during our desk based focussed inspection to alter this rating.

Updated 11 July 2016

Following our comprehensive inspection on 8 March 2016 we rated the practice as good for the population group of older people. We did not review any evidence during our desk based focussed inspection to alter this rating.

Updated 11 July 2016

Following our comprehensive inspection on 8 March 2016 we rated the practice as good for the population group of working age people (including those recently retired and students). We did not review any evidence during our desk based focussed inspection to alter this rating.

Updated 11 July 2016

Following our comprehensive inspection on 8 March 2016 we rated the practice as good for the population group of people experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia). We did not review any evidence during our desk based focussed inspection to alter this rating.

Updated 11 July 2016

Following our comprehensive inspection on 8 March 2016 we rated the practice as good for the population group of people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable. We did not review any evidence during our desk based focussed inspection to alter this rating.