Patients understood the care and treatment choices available to them. The practice was open Monday to Friday with extended opening hours two evenings a week. Appointments with a GP lasted 10 minutes but longer appointments were available at the GP's discretion. Appointments with the nurse were either 15 or 30 minutes long. We spoke with six people who used the service. One person told us "the GP takes time to listen to what I have to say."We saw that a patient survey was underway and we looked at some responses and suggestions. We noted that some improvements had occurred as a result, there was now a suggestion box in the reception area and a new patient check in system had been installed.
Patient privacy and dignity was respected. Consultations took place behind closed doors and clinical staff asked patients permission before examining them.
Patients told us they were very satisfied with the service they received from their GP and nurse. A patient described the service as "a real family orientated practice" and another patient told us "it is brilliant here, they know me and my family so well." Patients told us that the referral process was efficient and that they were offered an element of choice where they could be seen for a specific condition.
We saw staff interacting with patients in a caring and sensitive way and responding appropriately to their questions in the reception area and or on the telephone. A patient told us during their appointment they appreciated that a GP 'takes whatever time is needed, I don't feel rushed to finish what I am saying."
Contracts were in place for general cleaning and the removal of clinical waste. However, although there was a basic cleaning schedule, there was no comprehensive written specification or cleaning checklists for cleaning the general and clinical environment.
We found no management of medicine policy or procedure in place at the practice. This meant that the provider may not be managing the risks associated with medicines handling.