GP surgeries will be inspected and rated for the first time by care watchdogs.
Doctors in Bolton have welcomed the new style of inspections by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) — but some are wary of the new rating system.
Patients will be able to see online whether their GP practice has been scored “outstanding”, “good”, “requires improvement” or “inadequate”.
Dr Anjana Kumar, GP at Deane Medical Centre, said: “I welcome the inspection process. I think initially when people hear the word inspection they perhaps get nervous, but the majority of GP practices are doing a very good job.
“However, bad practices die hard and I think inspections are needed.
“We have a duty to provide a certain standard of care to our population. In terms of ratings, I’m not so sure. This is general practice, not Trip Adviser.”
Inspections have already begun and ratings are expected to be available online next month.
Su Long, chief officer at NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “The CCG is aware of the new procedure for inspection of GP practices and GP out-of-hours services. We will be supporting both the CQC and the providers through this process.
“The CCG recognises the importance of GP services and their vital contribution to local health and wellbeing. We continually work with these providers to improve the quality of care and ensure all GP services meet the same high standards.”
The CQC already inspects care homes, hospitals, dental practices and mental health care providers.
Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of General Practice said: “Most GPs already provide really good services for their patients, but our inspections so far suggest that there is too much variation.
“Our new style inspections will help to celebrate and promote good practice and ensure that GP practices in need of further support are identified so that they are able to meet the needs of their local communities.”
“We will inspect against what matters most to the people using GP services — asking whether practices are safe, caring, effective, responsive to people’s needs, and well-led.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here