Teams Medical Practice is rated as Outstanding by The Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found the quality of care provided by Teams Medical Practice in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear to be Outstanding following an inspection carried out in January 2015.

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.    

A full report of the inspection has been published today.

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 Teams Medical Practice highlights a number of areas of outstanding practice, including:

• Patient safety was a priority in all that the practice did. Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and information about safety was highly valued and used to promote learning and continual improvements.
• The latest GP Patient Survey completed in 2013/14 showed almost all patients were very satisfied with the services the practice offered. The proportion of patients who would recommend this practice was 97.5%, which far exceeded the national average of 79.1%.
• All staff received 360 degree feedback every year as part of the appraisal process. 360 degree feedback is a system or process in which employees receive confidential, anonymous feedback from the people who work around them. This shows the practice used innovative approaches to gather feedback from staff.
• The practice had introduced a Facebook page and Twitter account to engage with patients and patients could also sign up to receive the practice newsletter by email.
• The leadership, governance and culture of the practice had a positive impact on the delivery of care and high standards were promoted and owned by all practice staff. Staff responded to change and were encouraged to bring suggestions for improvement.
• The quality of care provided was high and very person centred. Patients were treated with compassion and were involved in decisions regarding their care and treatment.

Sue McMillan, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice in the North said:

“It is clear that Teams Medical Practice is providing an effective and well led service which is a real asset to the people living in this part of the North East.

“Feedback from patients was overwhelmingly positive and many commented on the high quality of care and ease with which they were able to book an appointment.

“We found that the practice displayed an excellent understanding of the differing needs of their patients and acted on these needs in the planning and delivery of its services.

“Staff demonstrated a commitment to help support patients to live healthier lives and drive continuous improvements in the outcomes for patients.

“All of this hard work pays off in making a real difference for their patients – which is why we have found this practice to be Outstanding.”.

Ends

For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Manager Kirstin Hannaford on 0191 233 3629. Alternatively, the CQC press office can be contacted on 0207 448 9401 or out of hours on 07789 876508.