A MEDICAL practice in special measures this time last year has completed a remarkable turnaround as it received a ‘good’ rating from the health watchdog.

Crown Heights Medical Centre, based in Alencon Link, Basingstoke, which has more than 25,000 patients, was rated as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after being assessed as ‘good’ by inspectors in all five categories - safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

The CQC slammed the surgery in July last year, saying patients were at ‘risk of harm’ at the centre with a multitude of failings including inadequate appointment booking systems and the centre reported it could not recruit new staff.

However, just over a year on, the practice has been turned around with its CQC grading jumping to the second highest available after it was taken out of special measures in November last year.

Key findings from the report include that the practice: n Now had a safe system in place for storage of vaccines.

-Had learned from significant events and improved processes around storage of vaccines.

-Had embedded systems and protocols in place which were followed when there were issues with cold chain storage. There was a safe system in place to ensure that when patients were affected, they were contacted in a timely manner”

-Had continued to work to reduce exception reporting levels for several clinical indicators”

-Had documented care plans which were discussed with patients who had long-term conditions”

Dr Graham Hullah, from Crown Heights Medical Centre, said: “This is great news, and demonstrates exactly how hard work, dedication and commitment to our patients can all help fine tune care from the many different perspectives that are required from us, and that we are judged on.

“Particular mention must go to our staff who have been very supportive and involved in the change that has been implemented. We would also like to thank our patients for the tremendous support they have given us since our initial report was published.”

The report does add that improvement is still required and to do this, the practice needs to “continue to monitor exception reporting levels to ensure they are more in line with local and national averages.”

Tim Archer, interim quality lead at North Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group said: “This is fabulous news for the practice and reflects the commitment of the team and the advantages of a system that can pull together supportively, to focus on the needs and expectations of the patients we serve, so that they can benefit.”

Eastrop ward councillor, Cllr Stuart Parker said he was glad to hear of the improvements to the practice.

Cllr Parker said: “I am pleased to hear of the noted improvements the surgery has achieved in a relatively short time, which is a credit to the staff and management at Crown Heights.

“I will admit I was surprised by the original assessment, because from personal experience I have had nothing but good experiences there, so I am glad that the powers that be have now given it that mark of approval I always thought it deserved.”

Cllr Parker added the concern now is maintaining these high standards, particularly with the volume of flats being built in the area.