Archived: Hawkesley Medical Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Hawkesley Medical Practice on 3 August 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• The practice had systems for monitoring and maintaining the safety of the practice and the care and treatment they provided to patients.

• The practice had systems for reducing the risks to patients from healthcare associated infections.

• Patients’ needs were assessed and the practice planned and delivered care in line with best practice guidance.

• The practice had established a well-trained team with expertise and experience in a range of health conditions.

• Patients said that they were treated with kindness, dignity and respect and that GPs and nurses involved them in discussions about their care and decisions about their treatment.

• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand. Improvements were made to the way that services were delivered as a result of complaints and concerns.

• Patients told us that they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and 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.

• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by GP partners and the practice manager. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.

• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.

• The practice had recognised the interplay between health and social issues and had introduced a service from the Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB) whereby an advisor came to the practice every Monday in order to help patients with a variety of non-clinical issues including housing, benefits and employment.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Establish a system for uncollected prescriptions.

• Take action to ensure that emergency evacuation drills are carried out.

• Continue to monitor and ensure improvement to patient survey results.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice