East Sussex GP rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated the care provided at Quayside Medical Practice as Outstanding overall, following an inspection in March 2016.

Inspectors rated Quayside Medical Practice in Newhaven, Outstanding for being caring, responsive to people’s needs and well-led, and Good for being effective and safe.

A full report of the inspection has been published today at: https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-585366086/

Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice said:

“I am delighted to highlight the exceptional service at Quayside Medical Practice, people are entitled to services which provide safe, effective, compassionate and high quality care. The GPs and staff at Quayside Medical Practice have demonstrated a real commitment to their patients. All of this hard work and dedication pays off in making a real difference for their patients – which is why we have found this practice to be Outstanding. I hope other practices will see this as a model for excellent care.”

Ruth Rankine, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice CQC’s South region said:

“It is clear Quayside Medical Practice is providing an excellent service and is a real asset to the people living in this part of East Sussex

“Feedback from patients was excellent and staff made every effort to fully involve people in decisions about their care and treatment.

“Staff demonstrated a comprehensive approach in managing the differing needs of their patients, proactively gathering feedback, and reflected these needs when planning and delivering services.

“There was a strong desire to learn at the practice, staff were engaged and committed to improving quality of care by learning from every opportunity and this was underpinned by their clear vision and strategy for the practice.

“This is a great example of what outstanding care looks like.”
The report highlights a number of areas of outstanding practice, including:

• Management had the experience, capacity and capability to run the practice, and prioritised safe, high quality and person-centred care.
• Patients were able to make appointments for when they needed them.
• The practice had secured funding to provide free transport for patients
and patients in neighbouring practices, to enable them to attend appointments at the practice and the local hospitals, along with attending the minor injuries unit instead of A&E. This service had provided 3,242 passenger trips between February 2015 and January 2016.
• The practice was a part of the ‘Golden ticket for dementia’ programme which made sure carers had a point of contact for rapid support in challenging times.
• Staff were courteous, helpful and treated patients with dignity and respect. Patients felt listened to and supported by staff who involved patients in decisions about their care and options of treatment available.
• The practice demonstrated that patient’s emotional well-being was as important as their physical needs.