The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated Hylton Medical Group in Sunderland as ‘good’, after an inspection they carried out in September.
The practice was rated ‘inadequate’ twice, following two CQC inspections in April 2015 and February 2017. However, following an inspection by the CQC in September, the practice was rated ‘good overall’.
Chief inspector of general practice professor Steve Field wrote in the report: ‘I am taking this service out of special measures. This recognises the significant improvements made to the quality of care provided by the service.’
According to the CQC report, ‘the practice had made significant progress since the last inspection and had addressed all areas of concern’.
Hylton Medical Group is part of the Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and provides care to around 5,200 patients.
In particular, the CQC report praised the improvements they found regarding the ‘overall governance arrangements, clinical governance, leadership and clinical effectiveness’.
‘There was a renewed focus on clinical governance and leadership. Staff we spoke with told us the team had worked well together and was stronger as a result of this work,’ said CQC’s deputy chief inspector of general practice Alison Holbourn.
Ms Holbourn said that the practice made an effort to improve all aspects of its life, and now deserves its new rating of good.
‘I feel sure it will continue to make good progress,’ she said.
Practice Manager at Hylton Medical Group Kelly Hardy said: ‘The practice has always tried to provide the best possible services for our patients, so it is wonderful to receive such positive feedback from the report.
‘We have made great efforts to address the concerns that had been highlighted in the earlier inspection, so we are pleased to see that the CQC has acknowledged the work that has been carried out, and to see the high level of patient satisfaction with the practice.’
