CQC Report

During November 2022 we were visited by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for a scheduled inspection where the CQC look in detail at the care we provide to make sure it is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

In 3 of the 5 areas in which we were assessed (Caring, Responsive and Well-Led) the CQC felt that the services we provide are good but have asked us to improve some elements of the care we provide, particularly how we review patients who regularly take medication. Because of their findings the CQC have given the practice an overall rating of ‘Requires Improvement’.

We are disappointed that the Care Quality Commission have given us this rating they have as we do not agree that it accurately represents the experience and quality of care our patients receive. The CQC have recently changed the way that they inspect practices, and this has affected our rating. We have reviewed our processes to ensure that our patient’s receive the highest standard of care.

We understand that our patients may feel disappointment and concern. We want to assure all our patients that our teams are working incredibly hard and with great dedication to care for them and keep them safe and healthy at a time when General Practice and the whole NHS is under tremendous strain.

We are pleased that the CQC noted several areas of excellent care and practice, in particular how we safeguard vulnerable patients, how we deliver care that is tailored to the specific needs of our patients, how we train and support our staff, how we respect the individual needs of our patients, how we work to be a part of the communities we serve and seek to serve the needs of under-represented people, and how we work to lead our clinical and non-clinical teams to be the kind of practice that people in our communities would want to look after them.

Whilst we are disappointed in our rating we accept the findings of the CQC and recognise that we can improve our processes so that we are always assured that all our patients are receiving the best standard of care. We always aim to continuously review our processes and can assure our patients that we have already taken action on some areas highlighted by CQC.

We will be working as a team over the coming weeks and months to focus our ongoing effort to improve our performance in the areas noted by the CQC and we wish to assure all our patients of our commitment to providing them with the best care possible.

If you have any questions about the inspection report or suggestions to help us improve the care and services we deliver then please email b83063.shipleymp@nhs.net