A Hove doctors surgery has been taken out of special measures after an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
A report by the CQC, published last week, said that, overall, Hove Medical Centre requires improvement – better than its previous inadequate rating.
The GP surgery, in West Way, Hangleton, was graded good for being caring and well led but inadequate for providing safe, effective and responsive care.
The chief inspector of general practice Steve Field said in the report: “We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Hove Medical Centre on (Thursday) 31 March 2016 where breaches to regulations were identified and warning notices were issued and the practice rated as inadequate.
“The practice was placed in special measures.
“A focused inspection was carried out on (Thursday) 4 August 2016 where it was identified that the legal requirements of the issued warning notices had been met.
“We carried out a further comprehensive inspection on (Tuesday) 29 November 2016.
“Overall the practice is rated as requires improvement and for safe, effective and responsive services. They are good in caring and well-led services.”
Professor Field said: “Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows
• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and a system in place for reporting and recording significant events. Improvements had been made to recording and learning from significant events.
• Improvements had been made to the availability of policies relating to safeguarding and staff had been trained to a suitable level for their role.
• The practice had clearly defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety. However, not all risks relating to infection control had been addressed.
• The practice had made improvements to training and induction processes and there were plans to further these improvements. However, records showed there continued to be some gaps in staff training and induction.
• Improvements had been made to fire safety within the practice.
• Recruitment records were maintained and improvements had been made to the checks carried out prior to employment.
• Electrical and calibration records were available and demonstrated improvements within this area.
• Staff were aware of current evidence-based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Patient outcomes were mixed in some areas. However, the practice had identified lead staff to make improvements in this area including improving the patient recall system.
• There was evidence of improvements to clinical audits within the practice with examples of full cycle audits leading to improved patient outcomes.
• Patients we spoke with told us they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect. However, results from the national GP patient survey showed mixed results relating to this and patients feeling involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• The practice had developed their own PPG (patient participation group) and had held meetings where patients were able to provide feedback. As a result the practice had a clear action plan to address areas of concern.
• Information about services and how to complain was available. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients we spoke with said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day. The practice had taken action to improve telephone access to the practice in response to patient feedback.
• 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. Staff and patients recognised recent improvements within the practice.
• The provider was aware of the requirements of the duty of candour.
“The areas where the provider must make improvements are
• Ensure improvements are made relating to assessing the risk of, and preventing, detecting and controlling the spread of, infections, including those relating to baby changing facilities and the disposal of sharps bins.
• Ensure that persons employed in the provision of the regulated activity receive such appropriate support in relation to training and induction and that these are appropriately recorded.
“The areas where the provider should make improvement are
• Have regard for the results of the GP patient survey in relation to consultations and take action to make improvements.
• Continue to monitor and address patient feedback relating to access to appointments.
• Continue to embed the process for monitoring trends relating to significant events.
• Record the practice strategy and business plans.
• Continue to improve diabetes performance in relation to QOF (the Quality and Outcomes Framework).
• Continue to improve the percentage of patients with dementia who receive a face to face review.
“I am taking this service out of special measures. This recognises the significant improvements made to the quality of care provided by this service.”
