This practice is rated as Requires Improvement overall.
The key questions at this inspection are rated as:
Are services safe? – Requires Improvement
Are services effective? – Requires Improvement
Are services caring? – Good
Are services responsive? – Good
Are services well-led? – Requires Improvement
We carried out an announced inspection at Pump Lane Surgery on 11 February 2022 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, as part of our regulatory functions. The inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
The full comprehensive report can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Pump Lane Surgery on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
We undertook this inspection at the same time as CQC inspected a range of urgent and emergency care services in Kent and Medway. To understand the experience of GP Providers and people who use GP services, we asked a range of questions in relation to urgent and emergency care. The responses we received have been used to inform and support system wide feedback.
How we carried out the inspection
Throughout the pandemic CQC has continued to regulate and respond to risk. However, taking into account the circumstances arising as a result of the pandemic, and in order to reduce risk, we have conducted our inspections differently.
This inspection was carried out in a way which enabled us to spend a minimum amount of time on site. This was with consent from the provider and in line with all data protection and information governance requirements.
This included:
- Completing clinical searches on the practice’s patient records system and discussing findings with the provider
- Requesting evidence from the provider
- A short site visit
Our findings
We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:
- what we found when we inspected
- information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and
- information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.
We have rated this practice as Requires Improvement overall.
We found that:
- The practice adjusted how it delivered services to meet the needs of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
- Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
- The practice respected patients’ privacy and dignity.
- There were systems and processes for learning and continuous improvement.
- Published results showed the childhood immunisation uptake rates for the vaccines given were above the 90% minimum target.
- Patient feedback about the practice was positive and results from the national GP patient survey were in line with local and national averages.
- Staff were suitably trained in emergency procedures.
- Risks to patients, staff and visitors were not always assessed, monitored and managed in an effective manner.
- Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. However, not all staff were up to date with essential training.
- The arrangements for managing medicines did not always help keep patients safe.
- The practice’s computer system did not alert staff of all family and other household members of vulnerable children or adults.
- Systems for managing safety alerts were not always effective.
- Patients’ needs were not always assessed, and care as well as treatment were not always delivered in line with current legislation, standards and evidence-based guidance.
The areas where the provider must make improvements are:
- Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.
- Ensure persons employed in the provision of the regulated activity receive the appropriate support, training, professional development, supervision and appraisal necessary to enable them to carry out their duties.
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
- Continue to monitor the emergency medicines and equipment held at the practice to ensure sufficient stock.
- Continue to implement and monitor the outcome of plans to improve performance relating to antibiotic prescribing.
- Continue to assess, monitor and improve actions highlighted in the infection prevention and control audit.
- Continue to ensure patients on the palliative care list have their palliative care needs reviewed and recorded.
Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.
Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP
Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care