All GP practices in Wakefield district rated 'Good' or better for the first time

‘Good’ ratings are now held by 35 of the area’s 37 surgeries. The other two – White Rose in South Elmsall and Friarwood in Pontefract are outstanding.

The ratings are publicly provided by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which routinely inspects surgeries, care homes and hospitals.

Wakefield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said the milestone was a result of surgeries putting patients “at the heart of everything they do”.

Clinical chair, Dr Adam Sheppard, said: “This is a superb achievement and, at a time when practice staff are working so hard during the coronavirus outbreak, it really is worth celebrating.

“Staff across Wakefield should be proud of their caring culture and the services they provide to older people, those with long term conditions, families and children, the vulnerable and people experiencing poor mental health.

“If you are a registered patient in Wakefield you can be sure you will get the best quality of care when you need it.”

The milestone was reached after Ash Grove Medical Centre in Knottingley was upgraded from requires improvement by the watchdog last week.

Pinfold Lane Surgery, which is based in Methley but is run by Wakefield CCG, was also rated ‘good’ following its first inspection. It’s only been open for three years.

Mel Brown, the CCG’s director of commissioning, said: “This is great news and I would like to offer all practices my congratulations.

“In particular I’d like to say well done to Ash Grove Medical Centre where there has been a huge amount of hard work over the last 12 months that has led to this result.”

Local Democracy Reporting Service