England’s Chief Inspector of General Practice has taken a Barking GP practice out of special measures. It is now rated Good overall.
Abbey Medical Centre in Harpour Road, Barking, has been rated as Good for being safe, effective, responsive and well-led. It is rated Requires Improvement for being caring after an inspection in August.
The practice, which has a patient list of 6,500, was previously inspected in May 2015 rated Inadequate and placed in special measures in November 2015.
This year’s follow up inspection considered if the regulatory breaches in the previous inspection had been addressed and whether sufficient improvements had been made.
Care Quality Commission inspectors found that many positive changes had been made: there was a now clear leadership structure with good support for staff from management. There was an open and transparent approach to safety and risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
Patients said that they were involved in decisions about their care and treatment and that they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect. They said they found it easier to make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
The practice had improved its facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
CQC’s Ursula Gallagher, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice, said: “Following this inspection, I am very pleased to find that Abbey Medical Centre can be taken out of special measures. I recognise that this because the staff have worked hard and made significant improvements to the quality of care provided by this service.”
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