12.12.13
Chief Inspector of GPs sets out new approach
The new approach to GP inspections has been set out by the chief inspector of general practice, Professor Steve Field.
From April 2014 teams made up of a CQC inspector, a GP, practice nurse or manager, and a trainee GP will inspect a quarter of practices in every CCG area once every six months.
The inspections will include five key questions: whether the practice is safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs, and well led. By April 2016 every practice will have been inspected.
The chief inspector will also look into how well people’s care is organised when more than one service is involved.
Prof Field said: “We need to make sure that everyone, from the most well-off to the most disadvantaged, can get access to really good primary medical care; this is something which I intend to champion as chief inspector.
“When something goes wrong in general practice, it has the potential to affect thousands of local people. For example, poor storage of vaccines can lead to health problems years into the future and have a huge impact on the population as a whole.
“GPs don’t work in isolation, so we will also be considering the quality of communication between out-of-hours care and other local services, including GP practices, care homes and emergency services.
“Before our new style inspection start in April we will be inspecting all out-of-hours GP services England. I will be looking back at the review I did for the government as we continue to have concerns about the quality of care that people receive from these services.
“I will also be carrying out reviews and inspections to look at key issues about health and social care services work together, as we know that when care is well integrated across services, people get better outcomes.”
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Patients have a right to expect the best care from their GP practice. That’s why we have introduced this new, tougher system of inspection which will root out poor standards and celebrate the best.
“The new chief inspector will champion the views of patients, giving them more information so they can make better informed choices about services.”
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