GP Practices

We inspect GP practices to:

• Check whether patients receive safe, high-quality care
• Help promote improvement in healthcare services
• Provide assurance to the public and Welsh Government
• Identify and share good practice and make recommendations for improvment.

What We Look At

During inspections, we consider how GP practices: 

  • Comply with healthcare regulations and legislation
  • Meet the Health and Care Quality Standards 2023
  • Comply with Welsh Government strategy, policy and legislation
  • Adhere to professional standards and guidance relevant to their area of care.

This may include assessing:

  • Patient experience and feedback
  • Patient safety and safeguarding
  • Access to services, such as telephone systems, appointment availability
  • Quality of care and treatment
  • Leadership and management
  • Infection prevention and control.

We also consider how well practices meet the Welsh Government’s national access standards, which include:

  • Prompt responses to patient contact
  • Clear information on how to access services
  • Multiple ways to contact the practice (e.g. phone, email)
  • Bilingual communication option.

Our inspections of GP practices are typically announced in advance, with each service receiving up to twelve weeks’ notice before the inspection date. This approach allows practices to prepare and ensures that the inspection process is transparent and fair. However, we may also carry out announced inspection if necessary. During the inspection, a team led by a HIW inspector and supported by up to three external peer reviewers, usually a GP, a Practice Nurse, and a Practice Manager, all with recent experience in general practice, who conduct a thorough evaluation. 

 

After the Inspection

Following an inspection:

  • We publish an inspection report on our website
  • We encourage practices to use our findings to improve services for patients, and they may be required to submit an improvement plan to us
  • We may take further action if serious concerns are identified, which may include working with the local health board
  • We continue to monitor services using information from inspections, the public, healthcare staff, and other organisations.

If you would like a copy of our inspection workbooks please contact HIW.Inspections@gov.wales quoting which type of inspection workbook you require.

Documents