A Letchworth GP surgery has now been rated as ‘good’ – after two previous Care Quality Commission inspections found the practice to be ‘inadequate’.

Sollershott Surgery was given a ‘good’ rating for all five categories, which are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

The surgery in Sollershott East was placed into special measures after a CQC inspection in May 2016 found the service to be ‘inadequate’ – the second lowest rating of four – and to have “major flaws”. A follow-up inspection in July 2017 came to the same conclusion.

But latest inspection this year has highlighted the many improvements made, including specific policies and procedures put in place, monitoring patients health, appointing a clinical lead and staff treating patients with “compassion, kindness, dignity and respect”.

The surgery’s patient group chair Keith Wadsworth said: “This is a spectacular change from its previous rating and it is a testament to the work of staff.

“It’s been a pretty tough few months since the long-time practice partners retired. The surgery has been under caretaker management and the staff at the surgery, led by practice manager Sandie Ince, have worked incredibly hard.

“They have coped with clinical staff recruitment issues and being managed from a distance. The latest CQC inspection shows just how well they have done, how much they have achieved.”

The CQC’s chief inspector of general practice stated in his report that he was taking the practice out of special measures which “recognises the significant improvements made to the quality of care provided by this service”.

The surgery will be joining 12Point Care group – a federation of 12 GP practises in North Herts – in July.

Mr Wadsworth continued: “This federation of North Herts surgeries has doctors as its directors. That means that patient care is the only issue for them and that’s just as it should be.

“They are local people with a record of successful recruitment, so Sollershott now looks to the future with confidence and optimism.

“The staff and the patient group would like to thank patients for their loyalty, patience, helpful and almost always positive feedback during these last difficult months.”

To view the full report, go to cqc.org.uk/location/1-3976583017.