26 August 2015
During a routine inspection
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced inspection of this practice on 13 November 2014. Breaches of legal requirements were found. After the comprehensive inspection the practice wrote to us to say what they would do to meet the following legal requirements set out in the Health and Social Care Act (HSCA) 2008:
- Regulation 10 HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 Assessing and monitoring the quality of service providers(Which corresponds to Regulation 17 of the HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014);
- Regulation 11 HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) regulations Safeguarding people who use services from abuse(Which corresponds to Regulation 13 of the HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 regulations 2014)
- Regulation 12 HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 Cleanliness and infection control(Which corresponds to Regulation 12 (2) (h) of the HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014);
- Regulation 23 HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 Supporting workers (which corresponds to Regulation 18 (2) HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014);
We undertook this focused inspection to check that the practice had followed its plan and to confirm that it now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to those requirements. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Dr Hans Schmid on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Our key findings were as follows:
- There were now systems in place to mitigate safety risks including fire safety. The premises were clean and tidy and the practice had taken steps to improve the way it assessed and planned their infection control activities. Arrangements in the practice for managing medicines, including vaccines, kept patient safe.
- There was better recording and use of audits to improve patient care. The practice promoted health education to empower patients to live healthier lives. Learning needs of staff were now identified through a system of appraisals, meetings and reviews of practice development needs.
- Feedback from patients and observations throughout our inspection showed the staff were kind, caring and helpful. The practice had developed action plans to address those areas where they performed lower than others in relation to patient satisfaction.
- Improvements had been made to support patients with disabilities to access the service.
- The practice had systems in place to respond to and act on patient complaints and feedback.
- The practice had taken action to address the concerns raised at the last CQC inspection. They had developed a clear vision, strategy and plan to deliver high quality care and promote good outcomes for patients. The practice had fully involved stakeholders in the improvement activity for the practice.
There was an area where the practice should make improvements. The practice should:-
- Take sufficient steps to ensure the confidentiality of patients when discussing complaints and significant events with the patient participation group.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice