Cambridgeshire GP surgery is rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission has found the quality of care provided by Buckden Surgery, to be Outstanding following an inspection in March.

Inspectors found the practice was providing a safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led service that meets the needs of the population it serves. The practice is run by Drs Irwin, Goodwin and Fargnoli.

A full report of the inspection has now been published.

Under CQC’s new programme of inspections, all England’s GP practices are being given a rating according to whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

The report on Buckden Surgery highlights a number of areas of outstanding practice, including:

• The practice implemented suggestions for improvements and made changes to the way it delivered services as a consequence of feedback from patients. For example, the practice implemented a lymphoedema clinic following patient request. This meant that patients requiring this service did not have to travel to secondary care providers.
• The practice recognised the lack of public transport for patients to get to the practice, and organised a patient-led transport scheme. This service was promoted to new patients in the practice newsletter and on the patient participation group (PPG) notice board.
• The practice worked alongside the PPG to develop education events for patients. They organised a ‘Dementia Day’ held at the practice, which was well attended and well received by patients. Furthermore, the PPG were in contact with local schools and had a plan in place to present health education sessions. The practice recognised the barriers to engaging with younger patients, and was keen to build positive relationships and promote good health.
• The practice was innovative and proactive in setting up new services in the area. For instance, the practice promoted exercise programmes to patients identified as at risk of cardiovascular disease at NHS health checks. The senior partner at the practice had organised for a weekly parkrun to take place nearby after recognising the need for local, free of cost exercise groups in the area.

Janet Williamson, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice and Dentistry in CQC’s Central region said:

“It is clear Buckden Surgery is providing an effective, responsive and well led service which is a real asset to the people living in this part of Cambridgeshire.

“The practice worked closely with other organisations and with the local community in planning how services were provided to ensure that they meet patients’ needs.

“Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.

“High standards were promoted and owned by all practice staff and teams worked together across all roles.

“All of this hard work pays off in making a real difference to patients – which is why we have found this practice to be Outstanding.”

Ends

For further information, please contact Regional Engagement Officer, Helen Gildersleeve on 0191 233 3379.

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