A GP surgery that was previously slapped with the lowest rating has again been ordered to improve after a fresh inspection.
Four Acre Health Centre in St Helens was previously inspected in September 2021, where it was slapped with an "inadequate" rating, the lowest that can be given by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). As a result of the poor rating, the practice was placed in special measures with a view of improving the care provided.
The CQC breaks down the ratings into different categories: safety, how effective its services were, how caring, how responsive and how well led they were.
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A further inspection in March 2022 saw some improvements, however the categories of well-led, and safe remained at the lowest possible rating. Although some improvements were made from previous inspections, including "improvements to processes and procedures to improve patient care," there were remaining concerns regarding the prescription of controlled drugs.
However, in a fresh inspection published this month, the surgery was moved from the lowest rating to the second lowest- "requires improvement". Three of the five categories- safe, effective, and caring- were all rated as good.
One main area of issue found in the report, was difficulty reported by patients in reaching the GP surgery to make an appointment via phone call. One breach of regulations was also found in the inspection.
The report reads: "We found one breach of regulations. The provider must: Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care."
In a statement the CQC said: "At the last inspection March 2022, the practice was rated as inadequate overall and in the key questions safe and well-led. Effective and responsive were rated requires improvement and caring was good, the surgery was taken out of special measures.
"The practice remained in special measures and was issued with a requirement notice for Regulation 12 safe care and treatment, a warning notice for Regulation 15 Premises and equipment and conditions of registration for Regulation 17 Good governance.
"At this inspection in November 2022, we have rated the practice as requires improvement overall and for responsive and well-led. Safe, caring and effective are rated as good. We found the provider had made improvements to address the findings from the last inspection, but further improvements were needed to embed systems and processes."
The ECHO approached St Helens Care Commissioning Group for comment.
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