Dorset GP practice to exit special measures and rated Good by Care Quality Commission

Published: 13 April 2017 Page last updated: 3 November 2022
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England’s Chief Inspector of General Practice has taken a Dorset GP practice out of special measures following improvements in the quality of its services.

The Barn Surgery in Christchurch, Dorset, had been rated Inadequate during an inspection in May 2016, when the practice was placed into special measures.

During the latest inspection in February 2017, a specialist team of inspectors found that the practice had made a significant number of improvements and the practice is now rated Good overall. The practice was rated as Good for being safe, caring, well-led and responsive to people’s needs and rated Requires Improvement for being effective.

The full report of the inspection has been published.

After the inspection in May 2016, the practice put an action plan in place to make sustainable improvements to the areas of concern CQC had outlined.

When inspectors returned in February 2017 they found the effective systems required were in place to keep patients safe and manage risks.

Inspectors now found an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events. Risks to the safe care of patients were now being clearly monitored and managed. Clinical audits focusing on safe prescribing had now been completed. When things went wrong patients received reasonable support, truthful information, and a written apology. They were told about any actions to improve processes to prevent the same thing happening again.

Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice, said:

"It is clear that The Barn Surgery has made some real improvements since our previous inspection where we identified serious concerns relating to the safe delivery of services and leadership of the practice.

"The practice is now providing a safe, caring and effective service. I am pleased to announce that the practice will come out of special measures and I congratulate them on the progress that they have made.”

Ruth Rankine, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice for the South of England, said:

“During our recent inspection we found improvements had been made in all areas and that action had been taken to identify, assess and manage risks to patients.

“We are pleased to see that the hard work and strong commitment from all practice staff to deliver improved services has resulted in higher standards of care for their patients. The practice should be very proud of this achievement.”

Ends

For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Manager John Scott on 07789875809 or, for media enquiries, call the press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours. Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here. For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61.

The practice is now providing a safe, caring and effective service.

Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice

About the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

We make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve.

We monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and we publish what we find to help people choose care.