CQC inspectors find Marple Cottage Surgery in Stockport to be Outstanding

The Care Quality Commission has found the quality of care provided by Marple Cottage Surgery in Stockport, Greater Manchester, to be Outstanding following an inspection in February 2016.

Under CQC’s programme of inspections, all of England’s GP practices are being given a rating according to whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

The inspection team was led by a CQC lead inspector and supported by specialist advisors including a GP and person with practice management experience. The services provided by Marple Cottage Surgery have been rated as Outstanding overall and Outstanding for providing services to the local population groups.

A full report of the inspection has been published today.

The surgery, operating from Church Street in Marple, serves approximately 8,600 patients.

• The practice implemented a robust system to ensure that all housebound patients received regular health checks, focusing on identifying and treating long term and chronic conditions such as diabetes.
• The practice undertook a range of planned clinical audits to maintain and improve on the quality of service they provided.
• The practice actively supported the training and development of medical students and trainee GP’s to carry out clinical audits to improve the quality of services to patients.
• GP’s NHS contact details were provided to patients so that they could seek medical advice quickly to determine the need for further medical intervention.
• The practice was also trialling video consultations for patients with asthma to enable them to speak to their GP without needing to travel to the practice. 
• Whilst the practice had a robust complaints procedure and lessons were learnt from concerns raised, positive feedback was also recorded and used as a learning and development resource to improve customer service.

Sue McMillan, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice in the North, said:

"It is clear that people are at the heart of Marple Cottage Surgery’s vision for care. The practice was utilising technology and innovative techniques to ensure people were treated quickly and effectively, and the staff were working hard to continually improve the quality of its service and provide people with consistently high quality care and treatment.

“The practice was clearly well thought of by its patients. It was impressive to see the lengths the practice went to, to ensure patients had access to a GP and primary care services. It is a real asset to the people living in this part of Stockport.

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

Ends

For further information please contact CQC Regional Communications Officer Mark Humphreys on 0191 233 3519 or 07881656012.

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