16 November 2023
During an inspection looking at part of the service
We carried out an announced focused assessment of the Responsive key question at Northumberland Heath Medical Centre on 16 November 2023.
Overall, the practice is rated as good.
Safe - not inspected, rating of good carried forward from previous inspection
Effective - not inspected, rating of good carried forward from previous inspection
Caring - not inspected, rating of good carried forward from previous inspection
Responsive - requires improvement
Well-led - not inspected, rating of good carried forward from previous inspection
We recognise the pressure that practices are currently working under and the efforts staff are making to maintain levels of access for their patients. At the same time, our strategy makes a commitment to deliver regulation driven by people’s needs and experiences of care.
Although we saw the practice was attempting to improve access, this was not yet reflected in the GP patient survey data or other sources of patient feedback. Therefore, the rating for the Responsive key question is requires improvement, as ratings depend on evidence of impact and must reflect the lived experience that people were reporting at the time of inspection.
Following our previous inspection on 2 August 2019, the practice was rated good overall and for all key questions.
The full reports for previous inspections can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Northumberland Heath Medical Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we carried out this inspection
We carried out this assessment in line with our inspection priorities, to look specifically at access and the other areas covered by the Responsive key question.
How we carried out the assessment
This assessment was carried out in a way without the need for a visit. We:
- assessed data
- spoke to staff using video conferencing
- looked at written evidence using video conferencing.
Our findings
We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:
- 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 had adjusted services to meet patients’ needs, but had not complied with the Accessible Information Standard as patients were not asked about their needs at registration.
- Patients were not always able to access care and treatment in a timely way.
- There were particular issues with the ease with which patients could contact the practice by telephone. The practice had made some changes to try to improve telephone access, but were constrained by the telephone system in place. The telephone system was due to be replaced, as part of a national initiative, by March 2024.
- Complaints were listened and responded to and used to improve the quality of care.
Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should:
- Revise patient registration form to meet the requirements of the Accessible Information Standard.
- Continue to monitor and take steps to improve telephone access.
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