Archived: Plumbridge Medical Centre

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Plumbridge Medical Centre on 27 January 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• There was a transparent and proactive approach to safety and a system was in place for reporting and recording significant events. However minor incidents were not always recorded and learning shared.
• Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents and near misses.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care delivered in line with current best practice guidance.

• Staff received ongoing training and development to ensure they 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.
• 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 adequate facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. The practice did not have a defibrillator on site but informed us they planned to purchase one.
• The practice had a clear vision to deliver a high quality and compassionate service which was responsive to patients needs and promoted the best possible outcomes for patients.
• 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.

• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.

There were also areas of practice where the provider should make improvements:

• The practice should review their emergency equipment risk assessment to identify how they will respond to a medical emergency in the period whilst they await the purchase of a defibrillator. The practice should also clarify the shared use arrangements for the equipment once purchased.

• The provider should ensure the safe storage of blank prescription pads and have systems in place to record batch numbers of blank paper prescriptions placed in individual printers.

• Administration staff should undertake annual Basic Life Support (BLS) training in line with current guidance.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice