Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Patterdale Lodge Medical Centre on 10 March 2016. The overall rating for the practice was good however the practice was rated as requires improvement in safe.
At our previous inspection in March 2016 we rated the practice as ‘requires improvement’ in providing safe services. We issued two requirement notices to the provider relating to recruitment and staff training. The provider sent us an action plan and also assurances that they would mitigate any risks identified. The full comprehensive report on the 10 March 2016 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Patterdale Lodge Medical Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
This inspection visit was carried out on 11 October 2017 to check that the provider had met their plan to meet the legal requirements. The findings of this inspection were that whilst the provider had taken some action to meet the legal requirement notices insufficient action had been taken with regard to recruitment processes.
Overall the practice is rated as good.
Our key findings were as follows:
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Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report incidents and near misses. However the system to disseminate and share learning from incidents should be improved.
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Some improvements had been made to the recruitment process however gaps were still found in the information required to be held to ensure patients were treated and cared for by appropriately skilled and competent staff.
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Staff were aware of procedures for safeguarding patients from the risk of abuse.
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The GPs were able to demonstrate how they used best practice guidance in the care and treatment provided to patients.
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Services were planned and delivered to take into account the needs of different patient groups.
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Information about services and how to complain was available. The practice managed complaints effectively.
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The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
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The practice sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.
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The provider was aware of the requirements of the duty of candour.
The provider needs to make improvements.
Importantly, the provider must:
In addition the provider should:
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Review how emergency drugs are stored and monitored.
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Review the process to monitor uncollected prescriptions.
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Carry out the legionella action plan to mitigate risk to staff and patients.
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Review the significant event process to ensure learning and actions are disseminated practice wide.
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Review the audit process to ensure outcomes are disseminated practice wide.
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Review the two week referral system to ensure it can be effectively monitored.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice