This practice is rated as Good overall. (Previous rating October 2014 – Good)
The key questions at this inspection are rated as:
Are services safe? – Requires Improvement
Are services effective? – Good
Are services caring? – Good
Are services responsive? – Good
Are services well-led? - Good
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Union Brae and Norham Practice on 1 November 2018 as part of our inspection programme.
At this inspection we found:
- Staff demonstrated a very caring approach to their patients and it was clear they treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
- Clinicians assessed patients’ needs and delivered person-focussed care and treatment.
- The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes.
- Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.
- The practice engaged well with their patients. There was an active patient participation group which provided support and challenge.
- There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.
- Managers valued their staff and provided many opportunities for career progression.
We saw an area of outstanding practice:
- The practice was aware of the lack of some health care services provided in and around the town of Berwick. Ear, nose and throat (ENT) and audiology services were provided for patients across the area (not just those registered with the practice). An ophthalmology clinic was beginning on the day of the inspection and a dermatology service was due to start later in the month.
The area where the provider must make improvements is:
- Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
- Carry out a risk assessment to determine whether it is necessary to carry out Disclosure and Barring Service checks for non-clinical staff.
- Continue to review and implement effective infection control policies and procedures.
- Formalise the system for recording action taken following receipt of patient and medicines safety alerts.
Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice
Please refer to the detailed report and the evidence tables for further information.