Following a request by NHS England, Iodem undertook a review of the care provided to residential care and nursing home residents.
The review followed a previously limited internal inquiry, that had highlighted shortcomings in the care provided to a group of elderly patients. It was clear that interim steps put in place by NHS England, in conjunction with the practice, were beginning to improve the quality of care provided at the time of Iodem's review.
The review completed by Iodem necessitated visits to the GP Practice, the care homes and the nursing homes. Iodem spoke to residents, care home staff, residential home staff and local GP's. This was not a review of the care provided by the residential and nursing homes, but a review of the care provided by the local GPs to the residents of those residential care and nursing homes.
A number of shortcomings were confirmed, including; a lack of annual reviews of patients with long term medical conditions, poor record keeping, which could have impacted upon the quality of care, and medicine management and use.
Iodem were able to reassure NHS England that the referral of any doctors to the General Medical Council (GMC), or any other regulatory authority, was not required. This was under the condition that they continued to cooperate on developing and implementing a quality improvement programme with NHS England and their local Medical Director. NHS England were suitably informed by Iodem’s findings and the recommendations which it subsequently made.