GP at Hand receives ‘good’ rating from CQC

The CQC has rated Babylon GP at Hand as ‘good’ in four out of five areas in its first inspection of the service.
 
The digital-first GP provider was awarded an overall rating of ‘good’ but required improvement in the effectiveness of its services.
 
No breaches of regulation were found according to the report, which stated that the Hammersmith-based practice provided safe care because of the services’ clear systems to manage risk and when incidents did happen, the practice ‘evidenced that they had learned from them and improved their processes.’
 
The report added that patients pointed out the ease of booking online consultations, but some patients did not always receive referrals and test results in due time.
 
However, it said that ‘there was clear evidence that the practice had taken the action to improve workflow processes in relation to these.’
 
The CQC recommended that GP at Hand review the efficacy of its services including its two-week referral services, and implement a system to follow up with individuals with ‘worrying symptoms’.
 
GP at Hand welcomed the rating and acknowledged the points of improvement that the CQC suggested.
 
Babylon GP at Hand medical director of UK clinical services Dr Matt Noble said: ‘Every GP practice will know the rigour and scrutiny that comes with a CQC inspection, so we are very pleased to have been rated as Good, that they recognised just how quickly people can get an appointment and how satisfied our patients and staff are.’
 
‘Our NHS GP practice offers round the clock access to GPs at no extra cost to the NHS. We have transformed how people can see a GP and this is independent confirmation that we are doing so safely in a caring and responsive manner.’ 
 
He added: ‘One of the most exciting aspects of Babylon GP at Hand is the speed with which we can review our systems, adapt and improve.
 
‘We will of course take all of the CQC’s points on board and keep striving to improve the care we give our patients.’
 
The news comes as Hammersmith and Fulham CCG stated it was unable to decide whether to approve GP at Hand’s application to be a single network.
 
Another digital provider, Push Doctor, has temporarily suspended children’s accounts.
 
This story was first published by sister publication Pulse.