Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Mission Medical Practice on 31 March 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.
Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:
- There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
- Risks to patients were assessed and well managed with the exception of the absence of an automated external defibrillator for use in medical emergencies. Shortly after the inspection, the practice provided evidence that one had been ordered.
- Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance.
- Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
- Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
- Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
- Patients said they were able to get an appointment, but not always with their preferred GP. Urgent appointments were available on the day.
- The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
- There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from patients, which it acted on.
- The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.
- The practice had been undertaking minor surgical procedures but had not registered with CQC the regulated activity of surgical procedures. Since the inspection the practice has added the regulated activity to its registration.
We saw one area of outstanding practice:
The practice recognised that many patients attending the surgery had non-medical conditions and identified the need to effectively utilise the social prescribing initiative, which is a means of connecting patients with social, emotional or practical needs to a range of local, non-clinical services in the voluntary and community sector. It achieved this by creating a role for a dedicated member of the team to support patients with complex health needs and signpost them to the appropriate community services. We saw several examples of very positive outcomes and improved wellbeing for patients who had been suffering depression and social isolation and the practice reported some reduction in the use of conventional health services such as A&E attendance and GP appointments as a result.
The areas where the provider should make improvement are:
- Ensure all staff are trained on the use of the recently acquired automated external defibrillator (AED) and ensure the device is included in a schedule for electrical and medical equipment checks in line with guidance.
- Record and implement actions identified from the infection control audit.
- Ensure there is an effective system to track blank prescriptions through the practice in line with national guidance.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice