Top performing services are awareded ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission

GP surgeries across Cambridgeshire are committed to delivering high-quality care to their patients. The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) assessments of healthcare providers in the country highlights the effectiveness and impact of provider’s care.

The CQC’s quality ratings for health and social care services in England implement a four-tier rating system with the top performing services being awarded an outstanding grade. This means that the service is performing “exceptionally well”, according to CQC.

Inspectors look at five key aspects when evaluating a service. This includes the safety, effectiveness, caring, responsiveness, and the leadership of each surgery.

These ratings are publicly available on CQC’s website and help people to make informed choices on their healthcare provider and identify any areas that need improvement. Numerous surgeries across the county have achieved outstanding, and therefore establishing themselves as the best in Cambridgeshire.

Cambridge Access Surgery

Newmarket Road, Cambridge

The latest inspection at this surgery was in December 2021. It received an overall rating of outstanding and was also later reviewed in July 2023. Cambridge Assess Centre is a provider of specialist GP services and offers a range of services to patients that are homeless, at risk of homelessness or housed in sheltered accommodation.

Inspectors said: “There was an outstanding caring culture within the practice and we saw many examples. Staff treated all the patients as individuals and patients we spoke with confirmed this.”

Granta Medical Practices

London Road, Sawston, Cambridge

This practice was last inspected in October 2019 and achieved an overall outstanding rating. Granta Medical Practices later had a review in July 2023. Inspectors found that the services provided were ‘outstanding’ for families, children and young people as well as for people experiencing mental health and those whose circumstances may make them vulnerable.

Inspectors said: “Patients were supported and tested with dignity and respect and were involved in partners in their care.”

Acorn Surgery

Oak Drive, Huntingdon

Again, this was rated an overall outstanding in their latest inspection in January 2017. Acorn Surgery also later had a review in June 2019. Each key area was awarded outstanding except caring and safety where they were graded at good. Individual ratings for specific services were awarded outstanding including care for those with long term conditions, families children and younger people, and older people as well.

Inspectors said: “Feedback from patients about their care was consistently positive.”

Buckden and Little Paxton Surgeries

Mayfield, Buckden, St Neots

Buckden and Little Paxton Surgeries earned an overall outstanding rating in their latest inspection in March 2016. It was later reviewed in July 2023. The surgery was graded outstanding for specific services including for those with long term conditions, working age people, and those experiencing poor mental health.

Inspectors said: “Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was a continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.”