CQC inspectors find Maryport Group Practice in Cumbria to be Outstanding

The Care Quality Commission has found the quality of care provided by Maryport Group Practice in Maryport, Cumbria, to be Outstanding following an inspection in August 2015.

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

The inspection team, which included a GP specialist advisor and a specialist advisor with experience in practice management, rated the services provided by the Maryport Group Practice as Outstanding overall and Outstanding for providing services to older patients and to families, children and young people.

A full report of the inspection has been published today.

The surgery at Alneburgh House on Ewanrigg Road in Maryport, serves approximately 13,700 patients.

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

• The practice held ‘daily lunch bite’ meetings which gave all staff groups the opportunity to discuss concerns and for feedback from training, significant events, complaints and clinical audits.
• The practice had developed a consultant-led frail and elderly clinic which had reduced unplanned admissions to hospital for patients in that group.
• The practice employed two paediatric nurses who were also trained in dealing with minor injuries and delivered a minor injuries service. The practice also hosted a consultant-led weekly paediatric outpatient clinic which was run by a consultant paediatrician in conjunction with the paediatric nurses.
• The practice was the only practice in Cumbria hosting a Local Area Co-ordinator employed by Cumbria County Council. The role of the Local Area Co-ordinator involved targeting early intervention services at people at risk of reaching crisis point and in supporting them to fulfil their vision of a good life.

Sue McMillan, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice in the North, said:

"We found that Maryport Group Practice is providing an outstanding service, particularly for older patients, and for families, children and young people

“We were particularly impressed with the practice’s work to initiate positive service improvements for local patients and the commitment of all staff to continuously seek improved outcomes for local people.

“The practice was taking steps to reduce emergency admissions to hospital for patients with complex healthcare conditions by ensuring these patients had comprehensive personal care plans, and clear systems were in place to ensure patients discharged from hospital were fully supported.”

“Staff demonstrated a sound understanding of the differing needs of their patients and reflected these needs when planning and delivering services. This is a great example of what outstanding care looks like.”

Ends

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