CQC: Improvements needed at nearly all GP practices on Island

1 out of 13 surgeries demonstrates it can meet Care Quality Commission standards

Improvements are needed at almost all GP practices on the Isle of Man with many not always providing ‘safe care’.

That’s the view of the Care Quality Commission which has reviewed the 13 surgeries across the Island.

Only one GP practice, Castletown, could demonstrate that it could meet all of the CQC standards of being: Safe, Effective, Responsive, Caring and Well-led.

Reports published today (23 January) highlight numerous areas of concern which have been escalated to the Department of Health and Social Care.

These including safeguarding issues, poor hygiene and infection control, difficulties with access to care and the effectiveness of how patients are monitored.

According to the DHSC, which commissioned the CQC reports, the issues highlighted do not mean the surgeries are ‘unsafe to provide care’.

Minister Lawrie Hooper said: “I understand people may have concerns when they read the report for their general practice but I want to reassure residents that our GP surgeries are safe places to receive care.

“I am pleased that all of the surgeries have taken on board the comments from the CQC and have already started making the changes to improve their services.

“We need to take these reports in context – the surgeries haven’t met CQC standards but this is to do with administrative or in-practice processes not the patient care.

“As a department we have been assured by Manx Care that these issues are being addressed through action plans and monitoring and we will receive regular process updates.

“We want to make sure that all of these recommendations are well implemented, to ensure the people of the Isle of Man are receiving a high-standard of quality service.”

GP surgeries on the Island operate as individual businesses which are contracted to provide services on behalf of Manx Care.

John Snelling, the associate director of primary care, said: “For people visiting GP surgeries – please be reassured that they are safe and providing excellent care.

“It’s important to understand that the CQC carries out assessments in line with UK policy and legislation which differs in some areas from the Isle of Man.

“This accounts for some areas for improvement highlighted throughout the reports.”

You can find the CQC reports for all GP surgeries HERE.