Banbury Cross Health Centre

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Banbury Cross Health Centre on 4 May 2022. This was to provide a rating and undertake the first inspection of the location since it registered in 2019. Overall, the practice is rated as Good.

Safe - Requires improvement

Effective - Good

Caring - Good

Responsive - Good

Well-led - Good

Why we carried out this inspection

This inspection was required to provide a rating and ensure services were meeting the essential standards required.

How we carried out the inspection.

Throughout the pandemic CQC has continued to regulate and respond to risk. However, taking into account the circumstances arising as a result of the pandemic, and in order to reduce risk, we have conducted our inspections differently.

This inspection was carried out in a way which enabled us to spend a minimum amount of time on site. This was with consent from the provider and in line with all data protection and information governance requirements.

This included:

• Conducting staff interviews using video conferencing.
• Completing clinical searches on the practice’s patient records system and discussing findings with the provider.
• Reviewing patient records to identify issues and clarify actions taken by the provider.
• Requesting evidence from the provider.
• A short site visit.

Our findings

We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:

• what we found when we inspected
• information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and
• information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.

We have rated this practice as Good overall

We found that:

• The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
• We identified some risks associated with the monitoring of high risk medicines.
• Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
• Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
• The practice adjusted how it delivered services to meet the needs of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
• The practice was led and managed in a way that promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centre care.
• There was an inclusive culture which encouraged innovation.

We found one breach of regulations. The provider must:

• Ensure care is provided in a safe way to patients.

We found examples of outstanding practice

• The practice had examples of having a holistic approach to supporting patients which went beyond regular healthcare. The leaders and staff were encouraged and able to proactively identify ongoing improvements to provide a wide range of support to patients and improve uptake of care. For example,
  • A clinic solely for asylum seekers was provided, including interpretation services, where support such as healthcare, assistance with Home-Office paperwork and applications and wellbeing advice was offered.
  • The social prescribers were involved in audit activity such as a frequent attenders audit to identify alternative support for patients who requested high numbers of appointments.
  • A monthly search of patients who may potentially fall out of schedule with their child immunisations was undertaken and a phone call to the parents’ of these patients was made to book the child’s immunisations and to give an opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have. An empty clinic was provided for the immunisations’ nurse so they could book patients in immediately if convenient. In addition if a child was booked and did not attend, a nurse contacted the parent/guardian on day of appointment by phone and then text and rebooks if able.

Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.

Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP

Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care