Analysis of the quality and safety of general medical practice in England has found that almost 90% of general practices in England have been rated as ‘good’, making this the highest performing sector the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates.
In a national report, published yesterday (Thursday 21 September 2017), the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found that at the end of its first inspection programme of general practices when many had been re-inspected, 4% were rated ’outstanding’, 86% were ’good’, 8% were ‘requires improvement’ and 2% were ‘inadequate’ overall.
This is an improvement from the first ratings awarded to general practices (prior to any re-inspections) when overall, 4% were ‘outstanding’, 79% were ‘good’, 13% were ‘requires improvement’ and 4% were ‘inadequate’.
CQC’s regulation of primary care is supporting people to receive better care in general practice by setting clear standards of quality and safety and ensuring providers meet them, by sharing examples of what is working well, and by encouraging extra support for the sector through the General Practice Forward View.
82% of the general practices that were first rated as ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’ improved their rating following their most recent inspection.
Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of general practice at the Care Quality Commission, said: “This is the first time that we have such a detailed national view of the quality of general practice in England, made possible through CQC’s regulation. Having inspected and rated 7,365 general practices across the country, we have found that the clear majority are safe and of a high quality. Where we identified concerns, most practices have taken action and improved. GPs, practice managers and other primary care staff should be commended for their efforts.
“The challenge is for this focus on quality to be maintained and for general practice to be supported in continuing to give patients this same high standard of care in future while embracing and driving the changes elsewhere in the system. The pressures on GPs are very real but we have found many practices are already delivering care in new and innovative ways to benefit their patients and the wider community.
“The General Practice Forward View sets out the plan for sustainable and high-quality primary care in England. Nearly18 months later, the commitments made must continue to be targeted and delivered appropriately to meet people’s local primary care needs. Otherwise, improvements in the quality of care will come to a standstill. We want to encourage continual improvement in the quality of care in general practice so that patients, whoever they are and wherever they are in England, get the high standard of care they have come to expect and deserve.”
