The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Fishermead Medical Centre

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Fishermead Boulevard, Fishermead, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK6 2LR (01908) 609240

Provided and run by:
Fishermead Medical Centre

All Inspections

6 July 2023

During a monthly review of our data

We carried out a review of the data available to us about Fishermead Medical Centre on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.

This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.

If you have concerns about Fishermead Medical Centre, you can give feedback on this service.

5 December 2019

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out an announced inspection at Fishermead Medical Centre on 5 December 2019 as part of our inspection programme. We decided to undertake an inspection of this service following our annual review of the information available to us. This inspection looked at the following key questions:

  • Safe
  • Effective
  • Well-led

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 have rated this practice as good overall and good for all population groups.

We found that:

  • The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
  • Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
  • The practice organised and delivered services to meet patients’ needs.
  • Clinical staff received regular updates and training and took steps to ensure they were familiar with the most recent clinical guidelines.
  • Information about services and how to complain was available. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
  • There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.
  • The practice team demonstrated a commitment to learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.

We saw one area of outstanding practice:

  • The practice recognised that within its highly transient population there was a risk of human trafficking. It had developed a discreet method of supporting patients they felt may be at risk of trafficking. This system ensured patients at risk could access urgent support if needed without placing themselves in further danger. All staff were trained to understand the process to ensure swift action could be taken if needed.

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

  • Ensure proposed works to the nurses’ clinical rooms are completed in a timely manner.
  • Continue woth efforts to improve uptake of the national cervical cancer screening programme amongst its patient population.
  • Continue to monitor the practice’s performance in the national GP patient survey, in particular with regard to GP listening.
  • Develop a formally documented strategic plan.
  • Support formulation of an active virtual Patient Participation Group.
  • Ensure the practice’s registration with the CQC is updated and accurately maintained.

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

Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP

Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care

14 June 2016

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We previously carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of this practice on 11 February 2015. A breach of legal requirements was found. After the comprehensive inspection, the practice wrote to us to say what they would do 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 11 February 2015, the practice were told they must:

  • Ensure a coordinated approach to medicines management and that a system is in place to record the amount and type of medicines and vaccinations kept at the practice. All medicines and medical consumables, including those kept with emergency equipment, must be within their expiry dates and stored appropriately.

We undertook a desk top based focused inspection at Fishermead Medical Centre on 14 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 those requirements found to be requiring improvement . You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting 'all reports' link for Fishermead Medical Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

We found that on the 14 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 the handling and storage of medicines.
  • Systems to ensure that medicines were checked, stored securely and managed appropriately had been implemented and adhered to.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

11 February 2015

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced inspection of Fishermead Medical Centre on 11 February 2015. This was a comprehensive inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act (2008) as part of our regulatory functions. The practice achieved an overall rating of good. This was based on four of the five domains and all six population groups we looked at achieving the same good rating.

Our key findings were as follows:

  • Appointments, including those required out of normal working hours or in an emergency were available.
  • Systems were in place to identify and respond to concerns about the safeguarding of adults and children.
  • We saw patients receiving respectful treatment from staff. Patients felt they were seen by courteous and helpful staff. Patients reported feeling satisfied with the care and service they received.
  • The practice offered a number of services designed to promote patients’ health and wellbeing and prevent the onset of illness.
  • The practice acted upon best practice guidance and completed clinical audit to further improve patient care.
  • The management and meeting structure ensured that clinical decisions were reached and action was taken.
  • There was no clear system in place to record the amount and type of medicines and vaccinations kept at the practice. Some of the medicines and medical consumables we checked were beyond their expiry dates or stored out of their sterile packaging.

There were areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

Importantly, the provider must:

  • Ensure a coordinated approach to medicines management and that a system is in place to record the amount and type of medicines and vaccinations kept at the practice. All medicines and medical consumables, including those kept with emergency equipment, must be within their expiry dates and stored appropriately.

In addition the provider should:

  • Ensure that systems designed to assess the risk of and to prevent, detect and control the spread of infection are fully audited.
  • Ensure adequate recruitment procedures are in place including completing the required background checks on staff and that the required information is available in respect of each person employed.
  • Ensure that all staff employed are supported by receiving appropriate supervision and appraisal within the practice’s own timescales.
  • Ensure there is a structured approach to multi-disciplinary meetings for all patients with complex health issues.
  • Ensure that all staff complete the training relevant to their roles, which may include the application of the Mental Capacity Act (2005).
  • Ensure that every reasonable and affordable effort is made to expand or redesign the practice to ensure the privacy and dignity of patients is maintained at all times.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice