Archived: Berkley Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We completed a comprehensive inspection at Berkley Medical Centre on 13 October 2014. The overall rating for the practice is good. We found the practice to be good in the effective, safe, caring, responsive and well-led. We found the practice provided good care to people with long term conditions, families, children and young people, working age people, older people, people in vulnerable groups and people experiencing poor mental health.

Our key findings were as follows:

• Patients were protected from the risk of abuse and avoidable harm. The staff we spoke with understood their roles and responsibilities and there were policies and processes in place for safeguarding children.

• Patients received care and treatment to support good outcomes which promoted a good quality of life.

• Staff were caring and treated patients with dignity and respect.

• The practice had taken action to improve the appointment booking process.

• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.

• The practice proactively sort feedback from staff and patients and this was acted upon.

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

In addition the provider should:

• Review how, in the absence of specific training, assurance is gained in relation to the knowledge and understanding of staff, for example, infection control, Mental Capacity Act and safeguarding vulnerable adults.
• A risk assessment should be in place when making decisions non the necessity of DBS checks.
• Gain assurance from the property management that appropriate, maintenance and risk assessments are in place.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice