Press Release: 13th April 2017
Cumbria’s Out Of Hours GP service rated Outstanding by the CQC
Cumbria’s Out of Hours Doctors Service CHoC has been rated as ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission.
The out of hours primary care doctor service is the first in the country to receive an ‘outstanding’ rating under the new inspection regime.
The regulators praised the way CHoC meets the needs of a largely rural population, uses telehealth appointments, and close working with NWAS to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions as examples of outstanding practice.
The CQC inspected the service in November and December 2016.
Susan Blakemore, chief executive of CHoC, said: “I am delighted that the hard work of our GPs and all our staff has been recognised. I know that the CHoC team goes above and beyond our expectations on a regular basis because our patients tell us they are happy with the service, but to have it confirmed that we are offering Cumbria an outstanding service is a real endorsement of the energy and enthusiasm of our teams across the county.”
Leadership and governance has also been praised by the CQC – particularly for the efforts and innovation shown towards recruitment.
The report says services provided by CHoC are tailored to meet the needs of the local population. The CQC found that CHoC engages and involve the local community and partner organisations when developing services.
The CQC found that the service values outstanding governance and always strives to drive a culture that focuses on delivering high-quality and person-centred care.
Last month Healthwatch Cumbria published a survey which found that 91 per cent of patients are largely satisfied or very satisfied with their experience of the CHOC service.
The reports can be found http://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/1-199791946