Gloucestershire GP surgery rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found the quality of care provided by Winchcombe Medical Centre in Gloucestershire to be Outstanding following an inspection in August 2016.

Inspectors rated the care at The Winchcombe Medical Centre Outstanding for being responsive to people’s needs and well-led, and Good for being safe, effective and caring.

Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice said:

“I am delighted to highlight the exceptional service at Winchcombe Medical Centre, people are entitled to services which provide safe, effective, compassionate and high quality care. The GPs and staff have demonstrated a real commitment to their patients.

“All of this hard work and dedication pays off in making a real difference for their patients – which is why we have found the practice to be Outstanding. I hope other practices will see this service as a model for excellent care.”

Ruth Rankine, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice in the South Region, said:

“Winchcombe Medical Centre is providing an exceptional service, by working with local community teams to reduce referrals and hospital admissions and visiting groups at their own places of work to promote health and awareness sessions and to provide services it has become a real asset to the people living in this part of Gloucestershire.

“The practice was innovative and pro-active in improving patient outcomes. Staff pro-actively sought opportunities to deliver integrated care to everyone within the local community. This was underpinned by the providers clear vision, leadership structure and an experienced team.

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

Commenting on the rating, Shahed Ahmad, Medical Director for NHS England, South (South Central) said:

“These CQC inspections ensure that every patient receives consistently high quality care and today the Winchombe Medical Centre has demonstrated that their patients are receiving an outstanding service.

“The practice was found to have a clear vision to provide safe, effective, compassionate and high quality care, with staff supporting patients using a targeted and proactive approach to health promotion.

“Today’s outstanding rating is a great achievement for staff at Winchombe Medical Centre."

The report highlights further of areas of outstanding practice, including:

• The practice initiated domestic violence training with best interest at the heart of the individual’s care. In such instances, the practice ensured wherever possible that the abused patient and their partner were consulted by different GP’s to maintain confidence and confidentiality.
• Diabetes education sessions were held at the practice to improve course attendance with patients.
• Pro-active, personalised and responsive care aimed to meet the needs of older people, and home visits and urgent appointments were made available to those with enhanced needs.
• The practice employed a driver to deliver medicines to patients who were unable to collect their prescription from the practice. A volunteer driver also assisted these patients needing to attend hospital or practice appointments.

Ends

For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Officer Farrah Chandra on 07917 594 574 or, for media enquiries, call the press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours.

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