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Walsall GP practice taken out of special measures

A Walsall GP surgery with more than 2,500 patients has been taken out of special measures after inspectors deemed that improvements had been made.

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The Dr Shamim Sameja practice at Pelsall Village Centre was given an 'inadequate' rating earlier this year from CQC inspectors, who had concerns over leadership and safety at the practice.

Concerns previously centred around staff failing to carry out adequate investigations after incidents to show that they had learned from them, while poor record keeping was also raised as a problem.

Since then, new management have been brought in to help turn the situation around, resulting in special measures being removed and the service now being rated as 'good'.

In the report the CQC praised the training practice staff had undergone since October, as well as the new patient participation group, which had also been set up since last year’s inspection.

The CQC also praised the surgery for encouraging staff to continue to develop their training, allowing the surgery to provide the best possible care to its patients.

Professor Simon Brake, chief officer at Walsall CCG said that the removal of special measures was 'excellent news'.

He said: “This is excellent news and it should give the surgery’s patients and the public reassurance that we are continually improving local health services.

"We will continue to support GP practices to provide the very highest quality of care to local residents.”

Practice GP Dr Shamim Sameja, added: “We are so pleased with the report, the surgery has undertaken a radical turnaround in the last six months since new management were introduced.

“I would like to praise the practice team for all their hard work and dedication and also my patients for their continuous support.”