The Care Quality Commission has found the quality of care provided by Harleston Medical Practice in Harleston, Norfolk, to be Outstanding following an inspection in April.
Inspectors found the practice was providing a safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led service that meets the needs of the population it serves.
Harleston Medical Practice is a purpose built practice situated in Harleston which provides services for approximately 8,335 patients.
A full report of the inspection has now been published.
Under CQC’s programme of inspections, all England’s GP practices are given a rating according to whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led
The report on Harleston Medical Practice highlights a number of areas of outstanding practice, including:
- Information about safety was highly valued and was used to promote learning and improvement. For example, the practice manager was accredited to provide training on female genital mutilation (FGM) to practice staff. A member of staff had raised a safeguarding concern identifying a FGM risk following in house training presented to the team.
- The practice worked alongside the patient participation group (PPG) to develop health promotion events for patients, including topics such as dementia, medicines’ management, common childhood illnesses and prostate cancer. This resulted in patients presenting themselves for screening, and in one instance a diagnosis being made.
- The practice recognised the barriers to engaging with younger patients, and was keen to build positive relationships and promote good health. The practice had a plan in place to present health education sessions at the local secondary school. Topics for discussion included diet, acne, mental health and mindfulness.
Janet Williamson, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice and Dentistry in CQC’s Central region said:
“It is clear Harleston Medical Practice is providing an exemplary service which is a real asset to the people living in this part of Norfolk.
“High standards were promoted and owned by all practice staff and teams worked together across all roles. The practice had developed a staff recognition notice board, highlighting staff achievements both inside and outside of work. It also included compliments from patients and other healthcare professionals. Staff we spoke to felt that this made them feel valued in work.
“The practice used innovative and proactive methods to improve patient outcomes, working with other local providers to share best practice. For example, the practice was in the process of opening a community hub which was planned to house both local public and third sector organisations.
“We saw staff treated patients with kindness and respect, and maintained patient and information confidentiality.
“Inspectors witnessed many positive examples of care provided to patients, including those at the end of their life.
“All of this hard work pays off in making a real difference to patients – which is why we have found this practice to be Outstanding.”
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The practice used innovative and proactive methods to improve patient outcomes, working with other local providers to share best practice.
Janet Williamson, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice and Dentistry, central region