A GP PRACTICE is celebrating after being told it is to be taken out of special measures.

The Broadway Surgery, based at the Wellsbourne Health Centre in Whitehawk, Brighton, was branded inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) just under a year ago.

However it has now learned its rating has improved to good after a follow-up check in October.

Inspectors said the surgery had made significant improvements, had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.

Partner Dr Anita Rajda-Bolczyk said: “We were very disappointed with the rating last year.

“It is a credit to all the staff that we have not just crept to ‘requires improvement’ but have obtained a good rating.

“We have a great team and wonderful patients.

“We are delighted that all of the hard work that has been done over this last year has been recognised.”

Practice manager Sonia Mulla, who took up her post in February last year, had only been in the job for two weeks when the inspection took place.

She said: “A huge amount of work has been done to ensure that we have put right the issues that were highlighted.

“I am delighted with the report. We will be using this as a basis for making further improvements, moving the practice forward into the future.

“One of the things that has encouraged us most has been the continued support we have received from our patients during this period of improvement.

“We would like to say a huge thank-you and renew our pledge to them to do our utmost to deliver the best care we can for everyone. “

Inspectors said the creation of a patient participation group (PPG) at the surgery was one action which had helped it make improvements in understanding and meeting patients’ needs.

Every GP surgery is expected to create a PPG as a way of ensuring patients are at the heart of decision-making.

All GP surgeries undergo a routine inspection by the CQC to make sure they are meeting core standards when it comes to safety, effectiveness, care, responsiveness and leadership.

Practices given an inadequate rating are often placed in special measures so they get the extra support they need to improve their services.