CQC inspectors find Parkgate Surgery in Ormskirk to be Outstanding

The Care Quality Commission has found the quality of care provided by Parkgate Surgery in Ormskirk, Lancashire, to be Outstanding following an inspection in February 2016.

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 was led by a CQC lead inspector and supported by specialist advisors including a GP and person with practice management experience. The services provided by Parkgate Surgery have been rated as Outstanding overall.

A full report of the inspection has been published.

The surgery, on St Helens Road in Ormskirk, serves approximately 6,300 patients.

• The practice was extremely proactive in using clinical audits to identify and address areas for improvement, they were able to demonstrate quality improvements and had a comprehensive understanding of their performance.
• The team worked alongside multidisciplinary teams to help them better understand the complex healthcare needs of their patients.
• The practice were able to demonstrate a reduction in emergency hospital admissions by 95% over an eighteen month period meaning people were more likely to be treated by their GP than having to go to hospital.
• Staff were well trained and appropriately skilled, were quick to identify risks and put actions in place to reduce the risk to patient health.
• The practice had a clear vision to provide high quality care for its patients, which was embodied by the staff, and engaged the team with best practice and constructive development.
• People thought highly of the practice and told inspectors that they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect.

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

"It is clear that Parkgate Surgery was providing an outstanding level of care to its patients. The staff were working hard to continually improve the quality of its service and provide people with consistently high quality care and treatment.

“The practice was clearly well thought of by its patients. It was impressive to see commitment by the team in reducing hospital admissions and treating people in the community. It is a real asset to the people living in this part of Lancashire.

“This is a great example of what outstanding care looks like.”

Ends

For further information please contact CQC Regional Communications Officer Mark Humphreys on 0191 233 3519 or 07881656012.

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.