Our inspection activity will focus on where there is risk – for further information, read our update about what to expect from our monitoring approach.
Announcing inspections
Inspections and assessments are usually announced. We feel this is the most appropriate way to make sure they do not disrupt the care you provide.
When we announce inspections or assessments, we will usually give 2 weeks’ notice to individual GP practices. The inspector will telephone your practice to announce the inspection and send a letter to confirm the date.
For targeted assessments of the responsive key question, we will usually give one weeks’ notice to the practice (5 working days). In most cases, we will carry out these assessments without a site visit by email or telephone.
Throughout the inspection process, the lead inspector will support and communicate with you by letter, email and telephone. This is to help you to prepare for the day and know what to expect.
Unannounced inspections
We may also carry out an unannounced inspection, for example if we are responding to a particular issue or concern. This may be something identified at a previous inspection that we are following up, or new information.
At the start of these visits, the inspection team will meet with your practice’s senior partner or senior manager on duty at the time and will feed back at the end of the inspection if there are any immediate concerns.
Pre-inspection provider information request
We may ask you for information before we inspect. This will depend on the information available to us and will help us to prepare our inspection and to understand more about the care and the service you provide.