Grantham doctors’ surgery taken out of special measures after making improvements

A doctors’ surgery in Grantham has been taken out of special measures after receiving a ‘good’ rating from inspectors.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated the quality of care provided by St John’s Medical Centre, on London Road, Grantham as ‘good’. The practice was previously rated as ‘inadequate’ and was put into special measures early last year. It has now been taken out of special measures as a result of the improvements made at the surgery.

The practice provides primary medical care services to approximately 15,083 registered patients.

Inspectors found that the practice is providing high quality, safe, caring and effective care which meets the needs of the population it serves, is responsive to the needs of patients and is well-led.

It highlights several areas of good practice, including:

The practice is responsive to the needs of patients and tailored its services to their needs

Patients prescribed high risk medicines were well managed

Patients are treated with dignity and respect

Patients said there was continuity of care with quick and easy access to GPs and nurses.

The practice has good facilities and is well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs

Dr Donna Hutchinson, Partner at St John’s Medical Centre, said: “The fantastic result shows the hard work and determination by all of our staff to ensure we provide the highest quality safe services to all of our patients. Hard work, compassion and patient centred care has been our bedrock for many years and is one that we will continue to build on in the future.”

Julie Hadlow, Practice Manager said: “As a practice we are really pleased that the CQC has recognised the work we have done to improve our services and to ensure that we have achieved this rating. We are continually looking at ways of improving our services to all of our patients and we actively encourage and listen to all comments and suggestions and where possible we respond and make positive changes to enhance patient experience.

“General Practice is facing continuing challenging times with GP recruitment in Lincolnshire being of a particular concern and this result demonstrates what our rural practices can accomplish.”

Pamela Palmer, Chief Nurse at South West Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group added: “We are really pleased to note the significant improvements that the inspection regime has identified. We and colleagues across the CCG would like to thank the practice and their staff for the considerable achievement in moving the practice from special measures to ratings of ‘good’ across all domains.

“The last year or so has been a difficult time for the practice; however it is clear when reading the report of the hard work undertaken to achieve and maintain improvements in both systems and processes to ensure the continued safety and satisfaction of patients.”

The CQC has published its full inspection report on its website at {http://www.cqc.org.uk|