Archived: Broughton Gate Health Centre

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Broughton Gate Health Centre on 21 July 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• The practice had a clear vision and had recognised the particular needs of patients in the community it served.
• The practice had worked to create an open and transparent approach to safety. A clear system, which was made known to all staff, was in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• Risks to patients were identified, assessed and appropriately managed. For example, the practice implemented appropriate recruitment checks for new staff, undertook regular clinical reviews and followed up-to-date medicines management protocols.
• We saw that the staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff were supported to access development learning and routine training was provided to ensure they had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Feedback from patients was positive. Patients we spoke with told us they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment. Comments from patients on the 31 completed CQC comment cards confirmed these views.
• Results from the GP Patient Survey published in July 2016 showed the practice to be in line with, or below, most local and national performance averages. However, some improvement from previous results, published January 2016, was noted.
• Information about services and how to complain or provide feedback was available in the waiting area and published on the practice website. The practice had a comprehensive and thorough process dealing with patient feedback. Outcomes from complaints were shared and learning opportunities identified as appropriate.
• Appointments were readily available. Urgent appointments were available the same day, although not always with the patients named or usual GP.
• The practice had access to good facilities and modern equipment in order to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a clear leadership structure and we noted there was a positive outlook among the staff, with good levels of moral in the practice. Staff said they felt supported by management.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are as follows:

• Continue work to identify and support patients with caring responsibilities.
• Continue development work to ensure improvement to national patient survey outcomes.
• Continue to ensure patients with a long term condition are monitored appropriately, including implementation of revised exception reporting policy.
• Records of attendance and discussion at staff meetings to be maintained.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice