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Surveyors encourage property condition surveys for CQC

Released 07/02/2012

Property surveyors have urged practice managers and GPs to have their property surveyed, following the announcements made by the CQC that 10% of practices are to be inspected

Surveyors are encouraging GP surgeries to undertake a property condition survey of their practice and its facilities in accordance with the COC’s guidelines

Practice managers are being advised to have their practice surveyed following the announcement made by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) that it intends to inspect one in ten GP practices.

GP Surveyors are encouraging GP surgeries to undertake a property condition survey of their practice and its facilities in accordance with the CQC’s guidelines.

Conducting a survey, they say, will improve the building in terms of its physical condition; space utilisation and functionality; quality; environmental performance; and health and safety.

GP Surveyors recommend that practices also comply within the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

Andrew O’Dowd, Director at GP Surveyors stated: “Precise details of what the CQC will be looking for in terms of primary care property have not yet been released. However, we expect that undertaking a property condition survey will provide a good indication as to whether the premises can be CQC compliant or not.”

GP Surveyors  say that guidelines provided by the British Medical Association (BMA), suggest that CQC compliance of “Outcome 10: Safety and Suitability of Premises” can be demonstrated by providing “evidence that you monitor and review relevant policies/protocols/procedures” and “evidence of relevant local or national guidance having been taken into account.”

O’Dowd added: “Any GP surgery that is concerned about the CQC inspections should contact a suitably qualified surveyor to carry out an audit. As far as we understand it, a surgery which has completed a condition survey, is DDA [Disability Discrimination Act] compliant and is taking steps to improve their physical premises will more than likely be able to meet the CQC guidelines. Moreover, being DDA compliant can have a hugely positive impact on the amount of Notional rent that a surgery receives.”

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