Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
Our previous comprehensive inspection in November 2015 found breaches of regulations relating to the safe, effective and responsive delivery of services.
We found Burnham Health Centre required improvement for the provision of safe, effective and responsive services. The practice was rated good for providing caring and well-led services. Consequently we rated all population groups as requiring improvement.
This inspection in July 2016 was undertaken to check the practice was meeting regulations that were in breach from the last inspection. For this reason we have only rated the location for the key questions to which these relate. This report should be read in conjunction with the full inspection report of 5 November 2015.
We found the practice had made improvements since our last inspection. At our inspection on the 21 July 2016 we found the practice was meeting the regulations that had previously been breached.
Specifically we found:
- The practice had reviewed their recruitment policy and developed a comprehensive recruitment checklist and demonstrated appropriate recruitment checks had been undertaken prior to employment.
- All clinical and non-clinical staff had received an appraisal within the last 12 months and all staff had received training relevant to their role.
- The practice had taken number of steps to improve the appointments booking system and access to a named GP.
- The practice had increased the number of online appointments and there was a dedicated member of staff who was monitoring appointment booking system. This included the duration it takes to answer the telephone calls.
- Some patients we spoke with on the day and comment cards we received were in line with national GP survey results (based on 105 results which represented 0.50% of the practice’s patient list size) findings that patients had to wait a long time to get through to the practice by telephone during peak hours in the morning.
- However, the practice had carried out an internal survey in July 2016, which was completed by 1,010 patients. This represented 4.60% of the practice’s patient list. Results from the internal survey showed improved results and most of the patients were satisfied with their access to care and treatment.
- We saw that the practice CQC registration certificate was up to date.
- On the day of inspection, we noted that the ratings poster of previous CQC inspection was not displayed in the premises. The practice manager informed us they had displayed the ratings poster on the notice board near entrance but was not aware someone had removed it. However, the practice had displayed framed ratings poster within 48 hours after the inspection at four various locations in the premises.
- We noted that the previous CQC inspection report was shared on the practice’s website.
We have amended the rating for this practice to reflect these changes. The practice is now rated good for the provision of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led services. Consequently we have rated all population groups as good.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice