A practice which turned itself around after a health watchdog said it was concerned if it was “safe and well-led” has earned a good rating.
The Whitwell Health Centre in Whitwell, in Nottinghamshire has been given a good overall rating across all five categories by the Care Quality Commission.
In December 2016 inspectors highlighted concerns about the effectiveness of the practice, gave it an inadequate rating and put it into special measures.
Inspectors who visited in July were impressed by the improvements and rated it as good.
They said the practice had taken significant steps to improve leadership and the quality and safety of services.
They found a clear leadership structure and a supportive management.
The practice proactively sought feedback from its 5,500 patients and acted on it. The assistant practice manager attended patient participation groups to hear their views.
Inspectors were also impressed that “staff worked well as a team” and took a strategic and well led approach to the issues highlighted by the previous inspection.
They found an “open and transparent approach to safety” with effective systems to report, record and learn from any significant events.
Training gave staff the skills they needed to deliver effective care and treatment, the inspectors said.
The chief inspector of general practice Professor Steve Field said: “It was disappointing that our inspection in December 2015 highlighted concerns, particularly in relation to whether it was safe and well-led.
“I am very pleased that since then, the practice has made significant progress, which has led to as much better service for patients resulting in a new rating of Good and a removal from Special Measures.”
He said the inspectors in July “found the providers had significantly strengthened their leadership and management and had taken a proactive team approach towards making and sustaining improvements in quality.”
Professor Field added: “The practice had a clear vision and strategy to deliver high quality care and promote good outcomes for patients. This was underpinned by a clear practice ethos and a mission statement which was shared with patients throughout the practice.”
“All of the staff should be extremely proud of what they have achieved and I applaud the dedication and commitment they have shown to improving the care of their patients.”
