The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found the quality of care provided by Dr Mahendra Patel at Shay Lane Medical Centre in Altrincham, Cheshire, to be Outstanding following an inspection in June this year.
This is a real achievement by the practice and a fantastic resource for the people of Hale Barns, to have on their doorstep.
Under CQC’s programme of inspections, all of England’s GP practices are being given a rating in five key areas, are they; safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. The services provided by Dr Mahendra Patel have been rated as Outstanding overall.
A full report of the inspection has been published.
Dr Janet Williamson, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice said:
"It is clear Dr Mahendra Patel is providing a safe, effective and responsive service which is a real asset to the people living in this part of Altrincham. To get rated as Outstanding is a real achievement.
“We were particularly impressed that people were protected by a strong, comprehensive safety system with a focus on openness, transparency and learning when things went wrong.
“We found that outcomes for patients were consistently better when compared with other similar services, which is fantastic news for people registered with Dr Mahendra Patel.
“It was also impressive to see that practice’s commitment to providing care that was so responsive to people’s individual needs.
“This is a great example of what outstanding care looks like.”
Inspectors found that people using the service were protected by an excellent safety system. Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns as well as report incidents and near misses. In addition, the opportunities for learning from internal and external incidents were maximised.
Outcomes for patients using the services at Dr Mahendra Patel’s practice were consistently better than expected when compared with other similar services. The practice used innovative and proactive methods to improve results for patients and often worked with other local providers to share best practice.
The practice worked hard to ensure that services were tailored to meet the needs of individual people and ensured flexibility, choice and continuity of care. Inspectors found they worked closely with other organisations and with the local community in planning how services were provided to ensure that they reflected what people needed.
For example, they had created a carer’s champion role and this individual had identified and made contact with all carers. The number of carers identified and supported since March 2016 had more than doubled to 76 which was 1.32% of the practice population.
The practice implemented suggestions for improvement, and made changes to the way it delivered services as a consequence of feedback from patients and from the patient participation group.
Feedback from patients about their care was consistently positive.
Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice said:
“The staff at Dr Mahendra Patel’s practice have demonstrated a real commitment to their patients and I am delighted to highlight the exceptional service they are providing.”
Ends
For further information please contact CQC Regional Communications Officer Kerri James on 07464 92 9966.
Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here.
Please note: the press office is unable to advise members of the public on health or social care matters. For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61
We were particularly impressed that people were protected by a strong, comprehensive safety system with a focus on openness, transparency and learning when things went wrong.
Dr Janet Williamson, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice