Dereham Orchard Surgery rated good following CQC inspection

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated Orchard Surgery in Commercial Road, Dereham, good in all categories following an inspection on May 4.

Sarah Burleigh, business manager, said: “The practice is delighted with the results of this inspection, which reflect the hard work and dedication of staff working at Orchard Surgery to improve the quality of services and care for patients."

The health watchdog rated the surgery 'inadequate' and placed into special measures last June after inspectors found a host of failings.

While the practice's staff were praised for being caring - and the CQC's report included a 'good' evaluation in this area - concerns were raised around record-keeping, management of medicines and the monitoring of patients. 

The Orchard Court surgery in Dereham (Image: IAN BURT)

READ MORE: Calls for 'urgent' changes after surgery is placed in special measures

Mrs Burleigh added: “The CQC found several key improvements during its inspection in May that demonstrated how the leadership team at the surgery have engaged with Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) to make sustainable changes to improve the practice.

"These changes will have a positive impact on both staff and patients.

Orchard Surgery on Commercial Road in Dereham (Image: IAN BURT)

“On behalf of Orchard Surgery’s leadership team, we would like to acknowledge our hard-working staff who have been recognised by the CQC for delivering high quality, person-centred care to our patients.”

Positive points in the report included:

• The practice now provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
• Significant improvements had been made to the leadership in the practice and the leaders had worked well together and with the ICB to effect change and improvement in the practice.
• Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.