The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Archived: Harris Medical Centre Also known as Dr Lynch and Partners

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

25 Kentmere Drive, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 4TW (01253) 763556

Provided and run by:
Adelaide Surgery

All Inspections

16 May 2016

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

This is a focused desk top review of evidence supplied by Harris Medical Centre, for one area only, staffing and recruitment, within the key question safe.

We found the practice to be good in providing safe services. Overall, the practice is rated as good.

The practice was inspected on 8 July 2015. The inspection was a comprehensive inspection under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. At that inspection, the practice was rated ‘good’ overall. However, within the key question safe, staffing and recruitment was identified as ‘requires improvement’, as the practice was not meeting the legislation at that time; Regulation 19 HSCA (RA) Regulations 2014 Fit and proper persons employed.

At the inspection in July 2015 we found that recruitment procedures were not followed and not all the required pre-employment checks were carried out prior to a new employee commencing work.

The practice supplied an action plan and a range of documents which demonstrated they are now meeting the requirements of Regulation 19 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 Fit and proper persons employed.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

8 July 2015

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Harris Medical Centre on 8 July 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Specifically, we found the practice to be good for providing, effective, caring, responsive and well led services to patients and requiring improvement in its overall safety.

Our key findings were as follows:

  • Practice staff understood the importance of identifying and reporting when things had gone wrong, however opportunities for learning from events to prevent them reoccurring was not always maximised.
  • Clinical audits were regularly used to ensure the most effective and appropriate care was offered.
  • Patients’ needs were assessed and care was provided in line with best practice guidance.
  • Staff had received training appropriate to their role.
  • Patients told us that they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect. They were happy with the care they had received.
  • The practice recognised the needs of the population it served and delivered its services accordingly.
  • The practice provided a safe environment for the care of its patients; facilities were clean and well maintained. Equipment was looked after appropriately.
  • Recruitment procedures did not always follow the practice recruitment policy or required regulation in relation to recruitment of staff

We saw several areas of outstanding practice including:

  • The practice’s links with other agencies such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Salvation Army helped maximise outcomes for vulnerable patients.
  • The screening programme for those at risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) drew national recognition in the form of a nomination for respiratory team of the year at the General Practice Awards 2014. Their approach was adopted throughout the Clinical Commission Group (CCG) area and had resulted in an increase in COPD diagnosis.
  • The practice offered a Tier-2 (or targeted) sexual health service. This service was available to all Blackpool residents, even those not registered with the practice

However, there were also areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

.The provider must:

  • Ensure recruitment procedures are followed so that all required pre- employment checks are carried out before a new employee commences work.

The provider should:

  • Ensure learning identified from significant events and complaints is disseminated to staff appropriately in order to maximise its positive impact on practice.
  • Ensure all staff complete fire safety training

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice