Archived: Chickenley Medical Centre

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Chickenley Medical Centre on 26 November 2015. 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.

• Although risks to patients who used services were assessed, some of the the systems and processes to address these risks were not implemented well enough to ensure patients were kept safe. For example, cleanliness, waste segregation and dealing with medical emergencies.
• 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 found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same 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 staff and patients, which it acted on.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.

We saw one area of outstanding practice

The practice had an innovative system in place to monitor and review patients with long term conditions, in particular diabetes. We saw evidence that the practice engaged strongly with other healthcare professionals and the wider community in education of diabetes and other long term conditions.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Ensure premises and equipment are maintained and cleaned in line with current legislation and guidance.
• Ensure domestic, clinical and hazardous waste and materials are managed and disposed of in line with current legislation and guidance.

• To have a process in place for undertaking criminal record checks at the appropriate level (only for staff who require a check) and assess the different responsibilities and activities of staff to determine if they are eligible for a DBS check and to what level.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice