England’s Chief Inspector of General Practice has found the quality of services provided by Hope Citadel Healthcare at Hilltop Surgery to be Outstanding following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.
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.
Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice said:
“The Hilltop Surgery is one of the most inspirational GP surgeries that I have visited. This is a real achievement and a fantastic resource for the people of Oldham, to have on their doorstep.
“The practice is run by a not for profit community interest company, led by inspirational, caring clinicians who treat people not just for their medical needs but also their wider social and cultural needs.
“It is whole person healthcare at its very best and the services they provide are exceptional.”
The practice, based at Hilltop Surgery, provides healthcare services to just under 4,000 patients in the local areas of Fitton Hill, Hathershaw and Bardsley.
Inspectors found several areas of outstanding practice:
- The surgery was instrumental in setting up various social and community groups to suit the needs of their patient population as they had recognised that the high cost of joining social groups potentially made them unaffordable for patients. The groups included:
- BLISS (Believe Love Inspire Self-worth Support), for young isolated mothers, initiated by reception staff. A counsellor from the practice attended the group once a month.
- Mucky Monkeys; a group for young children and their parents, initiated by the Salvation Army and run by a members of the reception staff.
- Inspire; a social group for older patients and the retired.
- The practice employs in-house counsellors so they are easily accessible to patients. A focused care practitioner looked after a wide range of needs including family issues, alcoholism, sexual exploitation and sleep problems. The focused care practitioner saw patients on a regular basis when this was needed and put plans in place involving other organisations, such as the job centre or housing department, to ensure individual needs were met.
Alison Holbourn,Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice said:
"It is clear that Hope Citadel Healthcare, is providing an effective, caring, responsive and well-led service which is a real asset to the people living in this part of Oldham.
“It was truly impressive to see the initiatives this practice had implemented not just to improve the health and wellbeing of their patients, but also aimed at reducing their reliance on primary healthcare or medication.
“For example, their Hill Top Growers gardening group is aimed at diabetic patients to encourage healthy eating and exercise. There’s a healthy lifestyles group where weight can be monitored and patients can join in with group walks and exercise.
“It wasn’t just the physical wellbeing of patients that Hope Citadel aimed to improve. We saw that they had formed a close relationship with the community café across the road, to help support those in social isolation, and also provide work experience for those looking for work. This was vital in increasing their confidence and also giving them a reference when applying for jobs. This is a great example of outstanding care.”
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.
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The Hilltop Surgery is one of the most inspirational GP surgeries that I have visited. It is whole person healthcare at its very best and the services they provide are exceptional.
Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice