A Hove doctors’ surgery which recently moved to new premises has been rated good by the official watchdog, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The surgery was given an overall rating of good – the second highest of four ratings. It was also graded good for providing a service that was safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs and well led.
Wish Park Surgery moved to purpose-built premises in Portland Road, Hove, in August from New Church Road. It was inspected in October and the CQC published its report on Thursday 17 December.
The CQC said that its key findings were
- There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
- Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
- Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
- Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
- Some patients told us they weren’t happy with the opening hours of the practice and had difficulties getting through to the practice by phone. However, the practice was aware of these concerns and was working with the practice PPG (patient participation group) to address them.
- Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
- Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP (general practitioner) and that there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
- The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
- There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.
- The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.
- The practice had performed below the national and local averages for mental health performance indicators.
The areas where the provider should make improvement are
- Continue to work with the practice PPG and respond to feedback from patients to address the difficulties some patients are experiencing in getting through to the practice by phone and opening hours.
- Have a robust plan for improving mental health performance indicators.
- Have a plan for reviewing and improving their high QOF (Quality and Outcomes Framework) exception rates.
Wish Park Surgery’s managing partner Paul Evans said: “The partners and staff were extremely pleased with the feedback and findings from our recent CQC inspection.”
Dr Evans added: “It recognised our hard work and efforts when relocating earlier this year and provides us with a firm foundation to build upon as we look expand the services we provide in our new and improved location.”
To read the full report, click here.
