The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Highlands Surgery

Overall: Outstanding read more about inspection ratings

1643 London Road, Leigh On Sea, Essex, SS9 2SQ (01702) 710131

Provided and run by:
Highlands Surgery

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

Highlands Surgery is registered with CQC to deliver the Regulated Activities: diagnostic and screening procedures, maternity and midwifery services, family planning, treatment of disease, disorder or injury, and surgical procedures. The practice is situated within the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) and delivers General Medical Services (GMS) to a patient population of about 14,600. This is part of a contract held with NHS England. The practice is part of a Primary Care Network with one other local practice. Information published by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities shows that deprivation within the practice population group is in the 10th decile (10 of 10). The lower the decile, the more deprived the practice population is relative to others. This assessment considered the demographics of the patients using the service, the context the service was working within and how this impacted service delivery.

We carried out an announced assessment from 19 May 2025 to 21 May 2025 covering quality statements under the Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led key questions.

28 October 2015

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Highlands Surgery on 28 October 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

  • The practice ensured that when things went wrong that these were investigated and learning was shared with staff. Risks to patients were assessed and well managed. There were systems for assessing risks including risks associated with medicines, premises, equipment and infection control.
  • There was a detailed business continuity plan to deal with untoward incidents that may affect the day to day running of the practice.
  • Staff were recruited robustly with all of the appropriate checks carried out to determine each person’s suitability and fitness to work at the practice.

  • Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following best practice guidance. Clinical audits and reviews were carried out to make improvements to patient care and treatment.

  • Staff were supported and received role specific training to meet the needs of patients and there was a system for staff appraisal.
  • Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
  • Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand. Complaints were investigated and responded to appropriately and apologies given to patients when things went wrong or their experienced poor care or services.
  • Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
  • The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
  • There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice