The Village Surgery

Updated 30 May 2024

The Village Surgery is an NHS GP practice with one site located in Alfreton, Derbyshire and a branch site at Pinxton. The practice was last rated Requires improvement (published 22 November 2022). The report was published following CQC’s old inspection approach using key lines of enquiry (KLOEs), prompts and ratings characteristics. This assessment has been completed following the Care Quality Commission (CQC) new approach to assessment; Single Assessment Framework (SAF). We carried out an announced on-site assessment on 18 July 2024 to follow up on breaches identified at the last inspection. The assessment included a remote activity which included interviews with staff and clinical searches on the practice’s patient records system. Prior to the assessment we requested evidence from the practice. We assessed 33 quality statements across safe, effective, responsive and well led key questions. We assessed some but not all quality statements at this visit which means we use the ratings from the previous inspection to rate the key question of caring and a proportion of the effective key question. This assessment did not cover all parts of our SAF; therefore, we have only updated scores and ratings for those areas which we have assessed. We will carry out future assessments to cover other parts of the Framework and will update our website with our findings. At this assessment we found the provider had made significant improvements. The practice now had safe recruitment systems in place and effective systems to help protect people from abuse and neglect. People’s care and treatment was now usually delivered in line with current guidance and evidence, and by staff who had the required skills, knowledge and experience. There were now clear and effective governance structures in place and comprehensive quality assurance systems.

Updated 30 May 2024

Feedback from people, carers and professionals who worked closely with the service were mostly positive. The national GP survey showed that 71% of respondents described their overall experience of this GP practice as good, compared to a local and national average of 74%. The practice reviewed feedback from the national patient survey and where possible acted on comments or suggestions made. Patient views were also collected using the NHS Friends and Family Test and other bespoke surveys. The practice shared changes through a You Said We Did board which was displayed at the entrance of the practice. People we spoke with during the assessment told us their experience of the surgery was mostly positive and they had noted improvements in telephone waiting times. Feedback submitted through Healthwatch England was less positive about people’s ability to make complaints. The practice had an enthusiastic Patient Participation Group (PPG) who were actively involved in events to share information with other registered patients on changes in services within the practice and other local providers.