Kingsteignton Medical Practice, Netwon Abbot is rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission has found the quality of care provided by Kingsteignton Medical Practice in Whiteway Road, Newton Abbot to be Outstanding following an inspection carried out in June.

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 now been published.

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.

Ruth Rankine, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice in CQC’s South region said:

“We found that Kingsteignton Medical Practice is providing an outstanding service. Feedback from patients and clinical teams was excellent and staff went above and beyond their level of duty to care for patients. The practice also had a positive working atmosphere and was committed to continuing to improve services for its patients.

“We found that the practice displayed an excellent understanding of the differing needs of their patients and staff demonstrated a commitment to help and support them. The practice proactively reached out to the community and worked with other organisations to improve patient outcomes.

“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.”

Linda Prosser, Director of Commissioning for NHS England in the South West, said:

“This is a real tribute to the staff at Kingsteignton Medical Practice and the standard of care they provide. It’s the first time we’ve seen an ‘outstanding’ rating within South Devon and Torbay, but this shows what can be achieved and how it is patients who reap the benefits.”

The report on Kingsteignton Medical Practice highlights a number of areas of outstanding practice, including:

• The practice had been proactive in recognising the pressures on the NHS and adult social care services. The practice was one of six in the Newton Abbot area taking part in a community pilot hub, which will influence future national policy thinking. The aim of the community hub was to provide a ‘one stop shop’ to reduce inequality and increase patient support so patients are able to better manage their conditions. Kingsteignton Medical Practice had taken this concept further by setting up a charity called Kingscare, which is chaired by a GP partner. The practice provided accommodation for the charity so that patients had immediate and easy access to the support it provided. This included information, support and social activities for vulnerable patients living in the community. For example, older patients with limited mobility and unable to use public transport were offered transport assistance for hospital and GP appointments in a specially adapted vehicle. A minibus had also been purchased through fundraising and used for group outings which staff at the practice were involved in. Over 300 patients are supported each year by this service.
• All staff were actively engaged in activities to monitor and improve quality and health outcomes for people. GPs held advanced qualifications and had expertise to deliver in house monitoring and treatment normally provided at hospital. Data showed that the practice referral rates to hospital were significantly lower for patients with respiratory, endocrinology, cardiac and diabetic care and treatment. Patients with heart disease were benefiting from the expertise of a GP working part time in the hospital cardiology service. Cardiac monitoring and initiation of treatment regimes were done in house.
• The practice had a strong vision which had quality and effective care and treatment as its top priority. High standards were promoted and owned by all practice staff with evidence of team working across all roles and with external agencies.

Ends

For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Manager, John Scott on 07789 875809 or, for media enquiries, call the press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours. Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here. (Please note: the duty press officer is unable to advise members of the public on health or social care matters). For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61.