Norfolk GP surgery is rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission has found the quality of care provided by Thorpewood Medical Group in Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, to be Outstanding following an inspection in July.  

Inspectors found that the practice was providing an innovative, caring, effective, responsive and well-led service that meets the needs of the population it serves. 

Thorpewood Medical Group provides GP services to approximately 14,000 patients from its surgery at Thorpewood in Thorpe St Andrew in Norwich.

A full report of the inspection has now been published and is available on this website.

Under CQC’s new programme of inspections, all England’s GP practices are being given a rating according to whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

The report on Thorpewood Medical Group highlights a number of areas of outstanding practice, including:

• The practice had written two policies which the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) had adopted and distributed to other Norfolk practices. These were a transgender policy, which was a response to an identified need and an adoption policy created from working with National Adoption Advisors.
• The GPs worked closely with drug dependence teams to support vulnerable patients such as those with a drug and alcohol addictions or those with poor mental health. They received referrals from and made referrals to the Norfolk Recovery Partnership. The practice also built an independent relationship with the East Coast Recovery Service to assist vulnerable patients far and wide.
• Information leaflets at the practice were available in braille.

Janet Williamson, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice and Dentistry in CQC’s Central region said:

“It is clear Thorpewood Medical Group is providing an effective, responsive and well led service which is a real asset to the people living in this part of Norfolk.

“Feedback from patients and clinical teams was excellent and staff went above and beyond their level of duty to care for patients.

“There was a very clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by the management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients which it took into consideration and acted upon.

“For those people with the most complex needs, the practice worked with relevant health and care professionals to deliver a multidisciplinary package of care. We were particularly impressed by the work the GPs did with drug dependence teams to support vulnerable patients.

“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.”

Ends

For further information, please contact Helen Gildersleeve, Regional Engagement Officer on 0191 2333379.

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.