The Care Quality Commission (CQC), independent regulator of health and social care in England, have announced the overall rating of Leeds GP Confederation’s services as ‘Outstanding’ after an inspection conducted in September 2023. The inspection report published by CQC also awarded Leeds GP Confederation ‘Outstanding’ in both effective and well-led categories, reporting that the organisation showed a ‘culture of high-quality sustainable care’.
Leeds GP Confederation supports the wider Leeds health economy by reducing demands on services, including emergency departments and General Practice. Such as through their Enhanced Access service, that delivered 178,044 extra appointments to Leeds GP Practices on evenings and weekends in 22/23, which CQC reported ‘enabled patients to access services at a time and location to suit their needs, whilst allowing practices to focus on more urgent demands during normal contractual hours.’
CQC said that Leeds GP Confederation had ‘a strong culture of innovation evidenced by the development of the service over the previous 12 months. This included tailoring services to meet the needs of patients within each Primary Care Network, introduction and development of new services.’ Such as the award nominated Community Ambulatory Paediatric Service (CAPS) and newly launched Adult Ambulatory Respiratory Clinic (AARC), designed to support wider healthcare system resilience over the winter months by reducing unnecessary Emergency Department attendances.
Dr George Winder, Chair of Leeds GP Confederation and GP at Oakwood Lane Medical Practice said: ‘The outstanding rating from CQC is recognition of the unwavering dedication of our staff and our commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care to the community. The outstanding rating from the CQC underscores Leeds GP Confederation’s position as a leader in healthcare excellence and its unwavering commitment to providing the best possible care to patients. As a GP in Leeds, at a time when General Practice is under more pressure than ever, I see every day the very tangible, positive impact Leeds GP Confederation’s services have on patients, supporting GP Surgeries in Leeds to offer more appointments than ever before.’
This is the first CQC inspection conducted for Leeds GP Confederation since it was formed in 2018. Their vision, to enable General Practice to thrive, thereby improving the health of people, contributing to the Health & Wellbeing ambitions of Leeds was reported by CQC to be a ‘clear vision and credible strategy to improve the health of the people of Leeds by strengthening and sustaining primary care.’
Jim Barwick, Chief Executive Officer at Leeds GP Confederation said: ‘The rating of outstanding is testament to dedicated and passionate colleagues that have worked tirelessly over a number of years to achieve this recognition. More importantly it says to our patients, that when you attend any of our services, they will be safe and effective, cared for by compassioned professionals. As the Chief Executive I am proud of our rating and of our great team.’
Ends
Contact: Freya Terry, Communications Officer, Leeds GP Confederation, email: [email protected]
About Leeds GP Confederation:
- Leeds GP Confederation (LGPC) is a member- led organisation that unties over 90 GP practices throughout Leeds.
- LGPC was formed by its members in 2018 to make a positive difference to the 870,000 people living in Leeds and to ensure the unified voice of General Practice is at the centre of the health and care system.
- LGPC’s purpose is to be a voice for and represent General Practice in the Leeds Health and Care System, and to hold contracts to enhance access to healthcare across Leeds and to provide a range of services to General Practices.
- For more information, please visit leedsgpconfederation.org.uk or follow LGPC on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter (@LeedsGp).