A GP practice in Exeter has been rated 'outstanding' following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.
St Thomas Health Centre was one of just three practices given the rating in reports which looked at 75 GP practices from across the country.
Inspectors visited the practice, which serves 34,500 people across three sites, and looked at how it performed in five different areas. These were whether the practice was run safely and effectively, and whether members of staff were caring, responsive and well-led.
Practice Manager Gill Heppell says the inspectors were most impressed by the staff's responsiveness to patients' needs. "I think what they really liked was how we do things above and beyond to make things easier for patients. This includes training our nurses in specialist skills such as complex leg ulcer dressings and flushing lines for our chemotherapy patients. We also have a successful carers' support network."
Gill says inspectors were also impressed with the practice's same-day illness clinic. "Winter is a busy time for the NHS. Having a same-day facility is a lifeline for patients who need to be seen urgently and also helps us, because we can deal with many of the illnesses winter brings quickly and effectively to keep people out of A&E."
Inspectors also looked at the quality of care the practice provided for several different groups before coming to a decision. These were older people, people with long-term conditions, families, children and young people, working age people, people whose circumstances make them vulnerable and people experiencing poor mental health.
All 7600 registered general practices in the UK will be looked at under the CQC's new programme of inspections. So far, the CQC has published reports on 143 practices.
