Unity Health is now out of special measures

Unity Health, the on-campus GP at the University of York, has been removed from special measures.

This comes following the latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The previous inspection in May 2018 found the practice to be "inadequate" forcing it to go into special measures. However, the most recent inspection has graded it "good" showing that it has improved.

Unity Health partner Dr Richard Wilcox said, "We’re absolutely thrilled that the work we’ve put in to turn the practice round have been recognised so emphatically.

We recognise that in some areas, particularly around telephone access to appointments, we haven’t been delivering the service our patients expect. Hopefully the CQCs latest findings will provide assurance that our focus is very much on quality and continuous improvement."

Michelle Carrington, Executive Director of Quality and Nursing at NHS Vale of York CCG said, "Unity thoroughly deserves recognition for turning around its inspection status to a rating of Good.

The practice has overhauled some of its systems, recruited new staff and has had support from the CCG that has helped to Unity to develop a stronger focus on quality and continuous improvement and I am confident that this will help to make a real difference to patients and their care."

The CQC has advised the practice to embed the improvements it has made, continue to improve its telephony system and improve the uptake of cervical cancer screening.

Recent improvements made by Unity Health include: refurbishing the Wenlock Terrace surgery premises, recruiting GPs, reception, nursing and support staff, overhauling the complaints system, working with an expert nurse manager from the Royal College of GPs to redesign the skill mix and training of staff, carrying out a full health and safety audit across all of its premises, re-forming its Patient Participation Group (PPG) as a sounding board for new ideas and introducing drop-in sessions for patients and students to meet members of the team, ask questions and make suggestions.