GP surgery back in better health
JON MACPHERSON
AGP surgery which was previously found to be ‘inadequate’ has now been taken out of special measures after a glowing inspection.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has praised staff at Rishton and Great Harwood Surgery after its latest inspection found the service was ‘good’ for safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness and ‘required improvement’ for leadership.
The surgery on High Street in Rishton underwent a ‘comprehensive inspection’ in September 2016 where it was found to be ‘inadequate’ and placed in special meas- ures for six months.
The CQC said improvements have now been made to the systems with which the practice monitored patients taking high risk medication and shared information regarding vulnerable patients with other agencies.
Appropriate safeguarding training had been completed by the majority of staff and there were now systems in place for identifying, recording and learning from significant events. Inspectors could also see that patients were notified when things went wrong with care and treatment.
Alison Holbourn, the CQC’s deputy chief inspector of general practice in the north, said ‘significant progress’ had been made and the spe- cial measures provisions will now be removed.
She said: “At an inspection in September 2016 we did not believe that the Rishton and Great Harwood Surgery was likely to resolve its challenges without being placed into special measures.
“The practice had previously been rated as inadequate, for safety, effectiveness and wellled.
“There are still a few areas that need to be addressed. Importantly, the provider must establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.
“Significant progress has been made at Rishton and Great Harwood Surgery and the service will be taken out of special measures and the conditions that had previously imposed will be removed.
“This recognises the major improvements that have been made to the quality of care provided by the service and I congratulate them.”
Rishton and Great Harwood Surgery was unavailable for comment when contacted by the Observer.