A medical practice which delivers services to more than 10,000 patients in Suffolk has been removed from special measures, the health watchdog has announced.
Constable Country Medical Practice, which has surgeries in Capel St Mary and East Bergholt, has been rated ‘good’ in the latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection report.
The CQC placed the medical practice in special measures in April but said that, after an inspection last month, it had “responded quickly to the issues raised and moved to make the needed improvements”.
Dr Fayez Ayache, senior GP partner at Constable Country Medical Practice, said: “This new rating is fantastic news and we are thankful for the overwhelming support we have received from our patients, staff and the local community in making it happen.
“Being placed in special measures was obviously a disappointment. However we were determined to make the needed improvements as quickly as possible and with help of our management team we have done that.
“Over the last few months we have addressed the areas of concern so that the community now has a GP practice which is effective in delivering good patient care.
“The CQC has indicated that the action we have taken represents the most effective turnaround of any GP practice placed in special measures.
“The creation of a patient participation group is an integral part of the changes. We look forward to working with those patient members to identify how we can further improve and respond to patients’ needs.”
The CQC said the medical practice, which has 10,800 patients, has “improved significantly” and described staff as “helpful and caring”.
Dr Mark Shenton, chairman of NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), of which the practice is a member, said: “I welcome this turnaround by the practice which shows a real determination by every staff member to make primary health care services are the best they can be.
“The CCG will continue to support Constable Country Medical Practice and help them maintain good patient care.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here