The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated Central Surgery (Dr Yogesh Amin) in Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent ‘good overall’, after it was put under special measures during an inspection in 2017.
Following a CQC inspection in October, the practice showed a significant number of improvements, including ‘systems in place for the safe prescribing and monitoring of medicines’, a strategy in place suggesting the merging of the practice with a neighbouring one and a patient participation group.
The report says: ‘Patients praised the practice team. They told us the reception staff was always polite, friendly and helpful and Dr Amin took time to listen to them and consider all their needs explaining their choices and treatment options.’
The practice, which has one lead GP and serves a deprived community, has around 2,600 patients on the practice list but it is now experiencing an increase in patients registering because of a neighbouring service having closed.
This comes as a Folkestone East practice closed due to funding and recruitment issues, leaving 4,500 patients without a GP practice.
In the case of Central Surgery, disaster was averted as a consequence of the measures that the practice adopted to tackle the problems outlined by the CQC inspection.
‘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,’ said chief inspector of general practice professor Steve Field.
Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice for the South of England Ruth Rankine said: ‘During our recent inspection of Central Surgery we found a number of significant 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 has been contacted for a statement.
