Lees practice saluted after huge improvements

Date published: 28 February 2018


The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found the quality of care provided by Lees Medical Practice, Oldham to be Good after an inspection in December 2017. 

This follows a previous inspection in April 2017, when the service was deemed to be inadequate and placed in special measures. 

At the latest inspection, the service was rated as Good for effectiveness, caring, responsiveness and well-led, and Requires Improvement for safety.

Some of the features from the latest inspection included:

Significant improvements had been made throughout the practice. All staff had been involved in discussions around the improvements, and new staff had been recruited to help in many parts of the practice. 

Inspectors could see that Improvements had been made to the way training, including induction training, was managed. The practice manager had devised a training passport so all staff were aware of what training should be completed and what the timescales were. 

Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it. In addition staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.  

Beverly Cole, CQC’s Head of General Practice – North, said: “The practice has made very good progress since the last inspection and had addressed many areas of concern.

"We found improvements in the overall governance arrangements, clinical governance, leadership and clinical effectiveness.

"There has clearly been a concerted effort to improve all aspects of the practice – it deserves its new rating of Good. 

“The practice had clearly learnt from their previous inspection. At this inspection we found these arrangements had improved.

"The practice had developed and improved their approach to carrying out clinical audits. Monthly documented multi-disciplinary team meeting took place and end of life care was coordinated. 

“The leadership within the practice was good. Inspectors could see that leaders at all levels were visible and approachable.

"They worked with staff and others to make sure they prioritised compassionate and inclusive leadership. The practice had effective processes to develop leadership capacity and skills, including planning for the future leadership of the practice 

“I applaud the practice for having taken action to address the areas of improvement raised during our previous inspection.

"Arrangements in respect of policies had been rated inadequate. However at this inspection we found they had improved.

"The practice had updated their policies and made sure staff were aware of these. Leaders had made significant improvements.

 “Lees Medical Practice has made very good progress, consequently it has been taken out of special measures and I feel sure it will continue to make good progress.”