A central London GP practice has now been rated as Good overall - previously it was rated as Inadequate and placed into special measures.
The former provider of the service left and a new one took over. The improvements in care are due to the new provider.
Little Venice Medical Centre in Crompton Street, Westminster, was rated as Good for being effective, caring, responsive and well-led. It was rated as Requires Improvement for being safe.
The new provider had worked with stakeholders to address the issues identified at
CQC’s previous inspection and made considerable improvements in respect of safeguarding, staff recruitment, medicine management and recording of significant events.
The practice had a comprehensive programme of quality improvement activity, including clinical audit. Data showed patient outcomes for those with long-term conditions had improved since CQC’s previous inspection.
Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.
The partnership had redefined its organisation structure, recruited essential personnel and assigned leads for key areas. It demonstrated that it had engaged with its commissioners and stakeholders to improve governance and bring about improvements to patient outcomes.
However, on the day of the inspection CQC found some additional issues relating to cleanliness and infection prevention and control.
Importantly, the provider must now:
- Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.
In addition the provider should:
- Continue to monitor and improve uptake of the cervical screening programme and childhood immunisation programme.
Acting Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice, Michele Golden said: “It’s encouraging to see a practice jump from Inadequate to Good overall – albeit because new providers have taken over running it.
“We are taking this service out of special measures. This recognises the significant improvements made to the quality of care provided by the service.”
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