13 June 2023
During an inspection looking at part of the service
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Highbridge Medical Centre on 13 June 2023. Overall, the practice is rated as good. At our previous inspection in October 2017 the practice was rated as good overall and for all key questions.
Safe - good
Effective - good
Caring - good
Responsive - good
Well-led - good
The full reports for previous inspections can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Highbridge Medical Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we carried out this inspection
We carried out this inspection in line with our inspection priorities and to follow up concerns reported to us.
We inspected all key questions.
How we carried out the inspection
This inspection was carried out in a way which enabled us to spend a minimum amount of time on site.
This included:
- Conducting staff interviews using video conferencing.
- Completing clinical searches on the practice’s patient records system (this was with consent from the provider and in line with all data protection and information governance requirements).
- Reviewing patient records to identify issues and clarify actions taken by 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 found that:
- The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
- Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
- Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
- Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
- The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centre care.
- Staff were supported to carry out their role with appropriate training and supervision being provided.
- Leaders and managers were accessible and listened to patient and staff views on the service provision.
- Actions were taken where areas for improvement were identified.
Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should:
- Continue to monitor processes in order for patients to have all the recommended blood tests prior to a prescription being issued and at the time of medicine reviews.
- Review patients on medicines which require monitoring and who may need additional medicines prescribed to protect their stomach lining.
- Continue to provide relevant training for Legionella risk management.
Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.
Dr Sean O’Kelly BSc MB ChB MSc DCH FRCA
Chief Inspector of Health Care