The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found the quality of care provided by Frances Street Medical Centre in Doncaster, South Yorkshire to be Outstanding following an inspection in April 2016. This is a real achievement by the practice and a fantastic resource for the people of Doncaster 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 Frances Street Medical Centre have been rated as Outstanding overall.
A full report of the inspection has been published here: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-552576333
The practice had a patient participation group (PPG) which provided a regular schedule of educational events for patients to encourage wellbeing. Topics included living with alzheimer's, an introduction to yoga, living with diabetes, bowel cancer screening, services for patients who fall and minor illness advice from the local chemist. Patients told us they enjoyed the sessions and found them very informative and people even travelled from other areas to attend them.
The practice also used innovative and proactive methods to improve patient outcomes, working with other local providers to share best practice. For example, the practice had liaised with the local bail hostel whereby residents were supported to access health care at the practice within a safe environment.
We found Frances Street to be very well led by its partners who were proactive in exploring opportunities to improve services and outcomes for patients. This included developing staff in any area which might have a benefit to patients. For example administrative apprentices were supported to develop their skills which led to permanent employment at the practice leading on to further training in management vocational qualifications.
The practice also provided excellent care to groups of patients that had specialist needs such as those with long term medical conditions, older people, and also young people. There were systems in place to make sure each of these groups was receiving the most appropriate care, and access to service for example making sure appointments outside of school hours were available for young people.
Sue McMillan, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice in the North, said:
"It is clear Frances Street Medical Centre is providing an effective, responsive and well-led service which is a real asset to the people living in this part of Doncaster. To get rated as Outstanding is a real achievement.
“The practice had a clear vision which had quality and safety as its top priority and this is reflected in everything that they do.
“The practice was clearly well thought of by its patients and comments from them included 'the practice provides exceptional care' and the surgery 'is one of the finest in Doncaster’
“It was also impressive to see the commitment by the team to reaching patients who were unable to come into the surgery. The surgery organised home visits by a nurse and even joint consultations with a GP using video chat technology.
“This is a great example of what outstanding care looks like.”
Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice said:
“All of this hard work and dedication pays off in making a real difference for their patients – which is why we have found this practice to be Outstanding.”
The inspection team was led by the CQC and supported by specialist advisors including a GP and person with practice management experience.
Ends
For further information please contact CQC Regional Communications Officer Kerri James by email kerri.james@cqc.org.uk or by phone on 0191 233 3324 or 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.
Find out more
Read reports from our checks on the standards at Frances Street Medical Centre