England’s Chief Inspector of General Practice has welcomed improvements in the quality of services provided by Trent Valley Surgery in Saxilby, Lincoln.
In June 2015, inspectors identified concerns with regard to the leadership and safety of the practice. As a result the practice was given an overall rating of Inadequate and placed into special measures.
The latest inspection which took place in December 2016 concluded the practice had addressed all areas of concern. It has now been awarded an overall rating of Good. The practice was rated as Good for being responsive, well-led, effective and safe and rated Outstanding for being caring.
Staff were motivated and inspired to offer kind and compassionate care and worked to overcome obstacles to achieve this.
A full report of the latest inspection has been published.
Inspectors found that since the original inspection the practice had taken significant steps to improve leadership, with a focus on improving the quality and safety of its services to patients.
Examples of key findings included:
- There were many positive examples to demonstrate how patient’s choices and preferences were valued and acted on.
- Feedback we received from patients reflected positively about the staff and said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
- Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report incidents and near misses. The new system which had been introduced was now embedded and we saw that learning was disseminated and identified actions were implemented.
- The leadership structure had strengthened further and staff felt supported by management.
- Patients expressed high satisfaction with the appointment system and 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.
Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice, said:
“It was disappointing that our inspection in June 2015 highlighted concerns, particularly in relation to whether it was safe and well-led.
“I am very pleased to see that since then, the practice has made significant progress, which has led to a much better service for patients resulting in a new rating of Good and a removal from Special Measures.
“At latest inspection we found the providers had significantly strengthened their leadership and management and had taken a proactive team approach towards making and sustaining improvements in quality.
“Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
“The practice had a clear vision and strategy to deliver high quality care and promote good outcomes for patients. Data from the national GP patient survey showed patients rated the practice higher than others for almost all aspects of care. In the most recent results the practice had been ranked seventh in England.
“It is clear that the practice took our findings seriously, seeking external advice to help it improve and working hard to implement the necessary changes. All of the staff should be extremely proud of what they have achieved and I applaud the dedication and commitment they have shown to improving the service provided.”
Ends
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The practice took our findings seriously, seeking external advice to help it improve and working hard to implement the necessary changes.
Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice