Rugeley GP surgery praised

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) praised Brereton Surgery, on the main road in Brereton, Rugeley, for being safe, effective and well-led, as well as for providing good care and having a good level of responsiveness.

The surgery, also known as Dr N Sivanesan & Partners, was visited by inspectors from the CQC on April 25.

Inspectors looked only at the surgery's leadership, which had been rated requires improvement at an inspection back in August 2016.

A report prepared after the visit said: "The practice had developed a system to demonstrate that the medicines and equipment alerts issued by external agencies were acted upon. We saw for the two alerts received post April 2017 appropriate action had been taken.

"The practice had improved the systems in place for assessing and monitoring. A range of risk assessments had been completed and action plans in place to manage the identified risks.

"The practice had strengthened the governance procedures in place. A meetings schedule had been developed, set agendas were used and meetings minuted and the information shared with all staff.

"The leadership structure was being updated due the changes in the partnership. The partners had designated managerial and clinical roles and met regularly to discuss the practice strategy.

"The practice continued to develop the role of the patient participation group and the group now met in person.

"Systems were in place to check the continued registration of nurses with their professional body. However, the practice did not ask for information relating to any physical or mental health conditions that the person may have, or whether they were up to date with their routine immunisation."

The surgery, which looks after 4,270 patients, had its effectiveness, safety, responsiveness and care praised after last year's inspection.

Inspectors previously said: "When things went wrong patients received reasonable support and a written apology. They were told about any actions to improve processes to prevent the same thing happening again.

"The practice had systems, processes and practices in place to keep patients safeguarded from the risk of abuse.

"The practice was actively engaged with the local CCG and therefore involved in shaping local services.

"Text reminders about appointments were sent to patients. Patients who did not attend for appointments were contacted by telephone either by a clinician or the office manager for a wellbeing check."