Practice that looks after Northamptonshire's 'violent, vulnerable patients' rated 'safe' again by watchdog

A Northampton town centre health care practice has now been rated 'safe' again by the CQC following a scathing report six months ago.

Maple Access Partnership was scolded by inspectors in June after the watchdog criticised it for failing to show it had "the capacity and skills to provide safe care".

It led to the service being branded inadequate and it was given six months to improve.

Now, the practice is back in better graces with the watchdog - but still must work to improve.

Maple Access, based in Hazelwood Road, has more than 11,500 patients on its books and also provides Northamptonshire's 'special allocation scheme' - meaning it offers health care to rough sleepers at Oasis House and holds the county's Violent Patients Contract.

It has now been rated 'requires improvement' in the latest report by the CQC , and even scored 'good' for providing safe care - something it earned the lowest score possible for in June.

The latest report reads: "The premises were now being managed safely and staff reported to feel safe working at the practice.

"Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.

"[However] some performance data was significantly below local and national averages... Cancer screening and immunisation rates were significantly below national averages and although the practice was working to improve this, further improvement was needed.

"Complaints were not being effectively managed and responded to."

However, because the service's standards of care towards working age people was still "inadequate", it was not taken out of special measures, and another inspection will be held in six months.