Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr C.P.M. Lewis & Partners on 19 January 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.
Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:
- There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events. Not all non-clinical staff understood how to recognise and report significant events.
- Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
- Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
- Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
- Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand, however verbal complaints were not always recorded.
- Most patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
- The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
- Staff had an understanding of consent and the Mental Capacity Act, however there was not a consent policy in place to support staff in making or documenting decisions about consent.
- There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.
- There was a range of staff meetings which were recorded. There was limited sharing of information across the whole practice, as a result of this some non-clinical staff lacked an understanding of the practice performance and vision.
- The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.
The areas where the provider should make improvement are:
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Update all staff on the recognition and recording of significant events.
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Ensure verbal complaints are always recorded.
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Introduce a consent policy.
Ensure the practice performance and vision is shared with all staff.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice