A MEDICAL practice in Kingsclere has been praised after an inspection by the healthcare watchdog.

Dr Sarah Bond and partners, also known as Kingsclere Medical Practice, in North Street was visited by Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors on April 25 who ranked the centre as ‘good’.

Inspectors found that improvements had been made to the practice following a previous visit from the CQC in June 2016, when it was found that some safety aspects ‘required improvements.’

From the recent visit, inspectors found most of the issues they had previously raised had now been rectified.

Inspectors noted that cleaning checks of treatment and consulting rooms were recorded where they previously had not been, and security of the controlled drugs cabinet was maintained and keys were stored in a locked cupboard.

The report added: “The processes for recording significant events had improved and now contained full details of actions resulting from clinical discussions.

“The practice had clearly defined and embedded systems, processes and practices in place to keep patients safe and safeguarded from abuse.”

Following the inspection, Dr Sarah Bond and partners is now rated as ‘good’ across all CQC inspection categories.

The practice has about 5,500 registered patients with a slightly higher than average elderly population.

A total of 19 per cent of patients are aged over 65 compared to a CCG and national average of 17 per cent.

Chief inspector of general practice, Professor Steve Field CBE, said the practice had “significantly improved” from its last inspection and now meets the legal requirements.

In his report Prof Field added: “Safeguarding policies for children and adults had been reviewed and contained all necessary and relevant information.

“There were nominated safeguarding leads and contacts details for other agencies which needed to be informed of safeguarding concerns.

“Staff were able to describe what actions they would take if they suspected patients were at risk of harm.

“The practice maintained a safeguarding register and all patients on this register were appropriately coded on their computer system.”