England’s Chief Inspector of General Practice has taken a Medway GP practice out of special measures following improvements in the quality of its services.
Dr Stephen Lawrence, also known as St Mary’s Island Surgery in Chatham, Kent had been rated Inadequate during an inspection in December 2015, when the practice was placed into special measures.
During the latest inspection in September 2016, a specialist team of inspectors found that the practice had improved in all five key areas. The overall rating for the practice has moved from Inadequate to Good. The practice was rated as Good for being safe, effective, caring, well-led and responsive to people’s needs.
After the inspection in December 2015, the practice put an action plan in place to make sustainable improvements to the areas of concern which CQC had outlined, and to make sure that regulations were met.
Following our recent inspection, inspectors found vaccines, equipment and infection controls were being well managed and blank prescription forms were kept securely.
Patients who were unable to book an appointment with a named GP, were able to book an appointment with another GP or receive a telephone consultation, and the practice was continuing to improve patient access.
Management were ensuring that staff felt supported, training records were up to date and appropriate recruitment checks had been undertaken prior to employment.
Information about services and how to make complaints were available and easy to understand. The practice had demonstrated that improvements had been made as a result of complaints and concerns received.
Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice, said:
"It is clear that Dr Stephen Lawrence has made some real improvements since our previous inspection, in December 2015, 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 in September 2016, 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.”
Sarah MacDonald, Director of Commissioning in NHS England’s South East team, said:
“We want all patients to benefit from good quality GP services and these inspections are about helping GP practices to identify where any improvements are needed, so that they can deliver the best possible service to their patients.”
“I am pleased that the commitment and hard work of the staff at St Mary’s Island Surgery, to make improvements for their patients, has been recognised.”
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I am pleased that the commitment and hard work of the staff at St Mary’s Island Surgery, to make improvements for their patients, has been recognised.
Sarah MacDonald, Director of Commissioning, NHS England’s South East team