Practice Response to CQC Inspection Report

Dear Patients,

 Following our recent CQC inspection some concerns were highlighted.  The majority of these have already been addressed and rectified.  

We would like to address the following areas directly:

 Equipment Checks – Calibration and PAT testing is carried out annually.  A couple of items from the GP’s home visit bag were found to have not been checked during the 2018 service.  We have since had the calibration check in May 2019 and all items have passed.  This evidence was provided to CQC.

 DBS and Chaperones – All relevant Members of staff have been chaperone trained and DBS checked.  The member of staff who was found to be chaperoning has since been DBS checked and this did not highlight any concerns that would have impacted on their suitability to act as a chaperone.

 We have been in talks with Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for a number of years regarding the improvements needed at the Hempstead Branch Surgery in order to improve the accessibility for our patients with mobility problems and also to provide accessible toilet facilities.  Currently any Patient who is unable to access the Hempstead facilities is encouraged to attend Wigmore Medical Centre but in the event that this is not possible the Clinician will assess to see if a home visit can be carried out.  We hope that the recent inspection will help us to secure the help and funding to make the adaptations required.

 As a Practice we are obviously disappointed to have received this rating but want to reassure our patients that we are working hard to rectify the outstanding areas for improvement and are confident that when the re-inspection takes place this will be reflected.

 We are encouraged to have secured a “GOOD” result for caring and this reflects our ongoing commitment in offering our patients the best care available to them. 

Wigmore Medical Centre