Strong Focus on Continuous Learning Leads to Improved CQC Rating

A south-east London GP practice has been rated Good overall by the Care Quality Commission. Previously having been rated Inadequate and placed in special measures.

The introduction of a strong culture of continuous learning and development unpinned the work done by the practice to address all the issues that led to breaches of regulations at their last inspection.

Key Improvements

• The practice had moved its main practice location, and closed two of its three branch locations.
• Care and treatment is being delivered according to evidence based guidelines.
• Staff involved patients in their treatment and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. 
• The appointment system is now easy to use and patients reported that there had been improvements in them being able to access care when they needed it. 
• The practice had greatly improved its identification and offer of support to people with caring responsibilities.
• The practice provided regular health promotion poster campaigns and talks to people in the local community, which has raised awareness and increased diagnosis of the diseases focused on during their campaigns.

The CQC has made further recommendations for improvements they would like to see at the practice but with a healthy and supportive culture now in place sufficient work has been done for the CQC to take the practice out of special measures.