The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found the quality of care provided by Kirkstall Lane Medical Centre in Leeds to be Outstanding following an inspection in March this year.
This is a real achievement by the practice and a fantastic resource for the people of Leeds 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 Kirkstall Lane Medical Centre has 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 Kirkstall Lane Medical Centre is providing a responsive and well-led service which is a real asset to the people living in this part of Leeds. To get rated as Outstanding is a real achievement.
“We were particularly impressed with the practice’s commitment to improvement. There was an open and transparent approach to safety which included a real willingness to learn from incidents and near misses to improve the quality of care for people using the service.
“We saw that the practice was also very responsive to the needs of different patient groups, and also listened and acted upon patient feedback. For example to better support patients that had been involved in human trafficking or other human rights abuses, there was a same day service and extended appointments. Kirkstall Lane Medical Centre also worked closely with local partners to make sure their often complex health and social care needs were being met.
“This is a great example of what outstanding care looks like.”
Inspectors found this practice to be very well-led with a clear vision that had quality and safety as its top priority. The strategy to deliver this vision had been produced with stakeholders, was prominently displayed in the waiting room and was regularly reviewed and discussed with staff.
CQC saw that the practice had developed and implemented a ‘dispersed management’ model which devolved power and empowered staff to make decisions and change working practices. This had resulted in staff feeling valued, motivated and involved in the practice. It also meant that improvements and changes were implemented promptly.
CQC also saw some great examples of Kirkstall Lane Medical Centre's responsiveness to meet the needs of their population. They recognised that there were problems locally with human trafficking and human rights abuses. The practice created a same day service, with longer appointments an access to a translator, all reflecting the need of these patients for urgent care, with more time for complex issues.
Inspectors saw some other great examples of the responsiveness of this practice:
- There were longer appointments available for patients who needed them, for instance patients with a learning disability or dementia, or a 20 minute appointment made if an interpreter was booked. A new scheme of 15 minute appointments and ‘see on the day’ appointments was about to be introduced.
- Home visits were available for older patients and patients who would benefit from these.
- Same day appointments were available for children and those with serious medical conditions.
- The practice provided medical support for a nearby supported living housing complex for people with learning difficulties. The practice led on multidisciplinary meetings to develop appropriate care plans to meet the changing needs of this group of patients.
Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice said:
“The GPs and staff at Kirkstall Lane Medical Centre have demonstrated a real commitment to their patients and I am delighted to highlight the exceptional service they are providing.”
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For further information please contact CQC Regional Communications Officer Kerri James by email kerri.james@cqc.org.uk or by phone on 07464 92 9966.
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To better support patients that had been involved in human trafficking or other human rights abuses, there was a same day service and extended appointments.
Dr Janet Williamson, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice