ENGLAND’S chief inspector of General Practice has taken a Somerset GP practice out of special measures following improvements in the quality of its services.

Victoria Park Medical Centre, previously known as Doctor Lewis, Hawkes and Dicks in Bridgwater, Somerset, had been rated Inadequate during an inspection in February last year, when the practice was placed into special measures.

During the latest inspection in November 2016, a specialist team of inspectors found that the practice had made a significant number of improvements and the practice is now rated Good overall.

The practice was rated as Good for being safe, effective, caring, well-led and responsive to people’s needs.

After the inspection in February 2016, the practice put an action plan in place to make sustainable improvements to the areas of concern CQC had outlined.

The CQC said when inspectors returned in November they found effective systems were in place to keep patients safe and manage risks.

Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of General Practice, said: "It is clear that Victoria Park Medical Centre has made some real improvements since our previous inspection where we identified serious concerns relating to the safe delivery of services and leadership of the practice.

"The practice is now providing a safe, caring and effective service. I am pleased to announce that the practice will come out of special measures and I congratulate them on the progress that they have made.”

Ruth Rankine, deputy chief inspector of General Practice for the South of England, said:

“During our recent inspection we found improvements had been made in all areas and that action had been taken to identify, assess and manage risks to patients.

“We are pleased to see that the hard work and strong commitment from all practice staff to deliver improved services has resulted in higher standards of care for their patients. The practice should be very proud of this achievement.”

Linda Prosser, Director of Assurance and Delivery, NHS England South West, said:

“This is quite a significant turnaround for the practice and is testament to the hard work that the staff have made towards making improvements. We are committed to providing people with GP services and are reassured that the practice will be delivering these services at a higher standard.”