GP practice exits special measures following improvements for patients

The Priory Avenue surgery in Caversham, Reading is the first GP practice in England to come out of special measures following improvements in the quality of its services.

It had been rated inadequate under our new approach to the inspection and was put into special measures in November. In the latest inspection in July 2015, a specialist team of inspectors found that the practice had improved in four of the five key areas and the overall rating for the practice has moved to requires improvement.

The practice management and team have worked with NHS England, the North and West Reading Clinical Commissioning Group and the Royal College of GPs to develop and implement improvements and this work will continue.

Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice, said: "It is clear that the Priory Avenue surgery has made significant improvements since our original inspection when we had serious concerns relating to the safe and effective delivery of services and the leadership of the practice."

Ruth Rankine, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice for the South of England, said: "In contrast to our last inspection, we found a group of GPs and nurses providing clinical care at the practice who were enthusiastic, motivated and co-operating well with one another."

Dr Geoff Payne, Medical Director, NHS England, said: “We hope other GP practices can learn and seek reassurance about the regulation process, helping us all to make patient’s experience of primary care second to none.”