A GP practice group that runs a number of GP practices across Craven, Airedale and Wharfedale has been rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.

The outstanding rating has been awarded to the Modality AWC Partnership that covers the Fisher Medical Centre and surgeries in Silsden, Steeton, Cross Hills and Gargrave as well as in Keighley, Haworth, Oakworth and Long Lee, Keighley.

The group was rated outstanding overall with the breakdown as 'good' in safety, effectiveness and care, and 'outstanding' in responsiveness to people's needs and services being well led.

The inspector's report said the group provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm. There were consistently high levels of engagement with staff and people who used services and patients were treated with kindness and respect.

Patients received safe and effective care and the management of patients and their medicines was safe.

The way the practice was led and managed promoted a high level of staff engagement and the delivery of high-quality, person-centre care.

However, patient satisfaction with access and appointment times was below national averages.

The report added: "Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should: Review practice polices to ensure they reflect local arrangements, contain the names of lead clinicians and direct staff to the best course of action in the event of an emergency. For example, with regards to child and adult safeguarding and infection prevention and control. Maintain a record of staff vaccinations in line with best practice and work to improve access to the service and increase patient satisfaction

Dr Brendan Kennedy executive partner of the Modality AWC Partnership said: “This result really is a great testimony to all the hard work that has been undertaken by every member of our team over the last five years since we merged to form the Modality AWC division. We recognised at that time that primary care nationally needed to change, and an alternative approach had to be taken if, as practices, we were going to survive in the long term with rising demand, increasing complexity compounded with a reducing and ageing workforce of GPs.

“We still have a long way to go and the CQC highlighted our need to improve access and patient satisfaction. We have recognised this already and feel we also need to improve continuity of care for patients as well.

“In the meantime, we will continue to support our patients to understand how they can make the best use of our services. This includes understanding when they will be seen by a healthcare professional, other than a GP such as a pharmacist or a social prescriber as well as encouraging people to use online services for example to order repeat prescriptions. care.”

The inspection was carried out in July this year and all branches were visited across the Modality group apart from Silsden as the lead inspector had prior knowledge of the site and Gargrave which was temporarily closed due to IT issues.