The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found the quality of care provided by Hylton Medical Group, Sunderland to be Good after an inspection in September 2017.
During a previous inspection in April 2015 the service was deemed to be inadequate and placed in special measures. A further inspection in February 2016 found improvements had been made and Hylton Medical Group was rated as requires improvement.
CQC inspected the service again in February 2017 when the practice was rated as inadequate and placed into special measures. At the latest inspection in September, the practice was rated as Good for safety, caring, responsiveness, effectiveness and well-led. Overall, Hylton Medical Group has been rated as Good.
Some of the features from the latest inspection include:
The practice had taken action to address the areas of improvement raised during our previous inspection in February 2017. They had implemented new arrangements and made improvements in all areas relating to clinical audit, staff training and ensuring clinicians were up to date with current evidenced based guidelines and standards.
The practice had developed systems to keep all clinical staff up to date. Staff had access to guidelines from NICE and used this information to deliver care and treatment that met patients’ needs.
Extended hours were offered on a Monday and Wednesday morning for patients who could not attend during normal opening hours. The practice was part of an alliance across Sunderland where appointments were available to patients from 10am until 12pm at weekends and on bank holidays; and on weekday evenings between 6pm and 8pm.
Alison Holbourn, CQC’s Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice said:
“The practice has made significant progress since the last inspection and had addressed all areas of concern. We found improvements in the overall governance arrangements, clinical governance, leadership and clinical effectiveness. There has clearly been a concerted effort to improve all aspects of the practice – it deserves it’s new rating of Good."
“The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. It is pleasing to note that they now have a clear leadership structure in place and staff feel supported by management."
“I applaud the practice for having taken action to address the areas of improvement raised during our previous inspection in February 2017. 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."
“Hylton Medical Practice has made very good progress, consequently it has been taken out of special measures and I feel sure it will continue to make good progress.”
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