A south east London GP practice that the Care Quality Commission previously rated as Inadequate has now been given a Good overall rating and has been taken out of special measures.
The re-inspection at Bermondsey’s Spa Medical Practice took place in November 2016 and showed a marked improvement in the quality of care given to patients. It was now rated Good for being: effective; caring; responsive and well-led. It was Requires Improvement for being safe.
Previously run solely by Dr Shabir Bhatti, it is now a partnership with Dr Bilal Bhatti, serving approximately 9,400 patients.
CQC’s key findings included:
- Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect.
- There was an open and transparent approach to safety.
- Risks to patients were generally assessed and managed.
- Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current guidelines.
- Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
- The practice was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
- The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients.
However, inspectors said the practice must review its arrangements for responding to medical emergencies.
Areas where the practice should improve include: introducing formal procedures for checking equipment and medicine taken on home visits - and reviewing how to more easily identify carers to enhance how the practice can support them.
Professor Ursula Gallagher, CQC's Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice, said:
“I am delighted to be able to remove this practice from special measures and award an overall rating of Good."
“This is a testament to the hard work of the staff and recognises the significant improvements made to the quality of care provided.”
A full report of this inspection has been published on our website.
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This is a testament to the hard work of the staff and recognises the significant improvements made to the quality of care provided.
Professor Ursula Gallagher, CQC's Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice