CQC inspectors find Chester-le-Street GP surgery to be Outstanding in the services provided to the local population

Published: 23 February 2017 Page last updated: 3 November 2022
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England’s Chief Inspector of General Practice has found the quality of services provided by Cestria Health Centre, Chester-le-Street, to be Outstanding following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission in November 2016.

Under CQC’s programme of inspections, all of England’s GP practices are given a rating in five key areas; are they; safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. 

A full report of the inspection has been published on our website.

Alison Holbourn, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice said:

"It is clear that Cestria Health Centre is providing an effective and well-led service which is an asset to people living in this part of County Durham. To get rated as Outstanding is a real achievement."

“It was impressive to see the commitment the practice had to making sure patients were still receiving care that was above and beyond expectations even when provided in locations away from the actual surgery."

“We found a compassionate practice that put providing effective services for their patients at the heart of everything they did."

“This was reflected in what people told us and the feedback that the surgery received from their patients."

“This is a great example of what outstanding care looks like.”

Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice said:

“All of this hard work and dedication pays off in making a real difference for their patients – which is why we have found this practice to be Outstanding.”

Inspectors found several areas of Outstanding practice.

The practice held a monthly meeting at a care home linked to the surgery, which was also attended by a mental health practitioner. This enabled early identification and treatment of mental health related issues in the elderly and ensured that residents were supported appropriately by care home staff. This, together with a hospital style ward round approach in the home and effective emergency health care planning had led to a reduction in the number of unplanned admissions to hospital and A&E attendances for older patients.

The practice had a dedicated nurse who carried out regular home visits to review patients’ care plans and contacted patients on discharge from hospital to ensure they were receiving appropriate support and their needs were being met. This had also contributed to a reduction in the number of unplanned admissions to hospital and A&E attendances. The Cestria Health Centre was planning to extend this work with the appointment of another nurse practitioner.

The practice had been instrumental in developing and providing staff and facilities to provide a weekend service for frail, elderly and vulnerable patients. This had resulted in fewer admissions to hospital over weekends and generally for this patient group.

Ends

For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Officer Kerri James by email kerri.james@cqc.org.uk or by phone on 07464 92 9966. 

Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here.

Please note: the press office is unable to advise members of the public on health or social care matters. For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61.

It is clear that Cestria Health Centre is providing an effective and well-led service which is an asset to people living in this part of County Durham. To get rated as Outstanding is a real achievement.

Alison Holbourn, CQC Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice

About the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

We make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve.

We monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and we publish what we find to help people choose care.