Medway Community Healthcare C.I.C retains its good rating, following an inspection by Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Inspectors visited the community interest company (CIC) in May and June.
The service provides community health services on behalf of the NHS for people living in Medway and Swale. This includes health visitors, community nurses, speech and language therapists, and out-of-hours urgent care.
The inspection assessed several services run by Medway Community Healthcare C.I.C , including: four mental health services; community health services for adults; community health services for children, young people and families; and community health services for inpatients. The community dental service was inspected and the findings are included in the report, however CQC does not rate dental services.
Following the inspection, Medway Community Healthcare C.I.C retains its overall good rating. It also remains good for being effective, caring, responsive and well-led. Its rating for being safe remains requires improvement.
Karen Bennett-Wilson, CQC head of inspection, said:
“It was clear during our inspection that Medway Community Healthcare C.I.C’s leaders demonstrated a high level of awareness of the priorities and challenges their organisation faced. They also showed how they could address these challenges while influencing change in the local healthcare system, and they quickly adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Staff described an open, transparent and supportive culture that centred on what was best for patients and the wider healthcare system. We found they collaborated with other providers and with external agencies, including the voluntary sector to support good outcomes for people’s health.
“However, there was a risk the departure of key people could have a sizeable impact on the care provided. Senior leaders recognised succession planning presented a challenge, and they were reviewing this issue.
“We look forward to returning to see how the service’s plans have been developed and implemented.”