England’s Chief Inspector of General Practice has taken an Epsom GP practice out of special measures following improvements in the quality of its services.
Spring Street Surgery, in Ewell, Epsom had been rated Inadequate during an inspection in July 2018, when it was placed into special measures.
During the latest inspection in April 2019, a specialist team of inspectors found that the practice had improved in all five key areas. The overall rating for the practice has moved from Inadequate to Good. The practice was rated as Good for providing effective, responsive, caring, and well-led services, and Requires Improvement for safe
The full report of the inspection has been published on the CQC website: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-548937393
Inspectors found that practice staff had worked together to complete a thorough review of the service since the July 2018 inspection in order to implement sustainable improvements and ensure that regulations were met.
Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report incidents and near misses. The majority of information about safety was appropriately recorded, monitored and reviewed.
Risks to patients were fully assessed and well managed. Inspectors observed that thorough audits were driving positive outcomes for patients.
Information about services and how to make complaints was available and easy to understand.
Staff were working well together as a team and all felt supported to carry out their roles. There was a strong team ethos and culture of working together for a common aim.
Ruth Rankine, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice for the South of England, said:
“During our recent inspection in April 2019, we found improvements had been made in all areas and that action had been taken to identify, assess and manage risks to patients.
“We are pleased to see that the hard work and strong commitment from all practice staff to deliver improved services has resulted in higher standards of care for their patients. The practice should be very proud of this achievement.”
Ends
For further information please contact John Scott, CQC Regional Engagement Manager, on 07789875809. For media enquiries, journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here: www.cqc.org.uk/media/our-media-office. For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61.