A GP surgery once named one of the worst in the country has been rated “good” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Green Porch Medical Centre in Sittingbourne was previously put in special measures twice as part of enforcement action.

In January 2022, it was rated “inadequate” by CQC inspectors.

They found the practice’s computer system did not alert staff of all children on the risk register, recruitment checks were not always carried out under regulations and arrangements for managing medicines did not always keep patients safe.

As a result, enforcement action took place and it was put in special measures.

A second check-up in July of the same year saw it remain “inadequate” because it had breached the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Warning notices about safe care and treatment, as well as good governance, had also been issued. The practice was placed into another period of special measures.

At the time, KentOnline spoke to Daren Pattenden, who was told to wait almost four weeks for an appointment after becoming concerned with a lump on his body.

An announced inspection took place in April last year and the practice was rated “requires improvement” overall.

Just three months later, it was in second spot for the worst-ranked practice in England.

Only 17% of patients ranked their care as “good”, according to data from the 2023 NHS GP Patient Survey.

The new CQC report, published last Tuesday (August 13), was carried out between May 15 and June 28.

It said the surgery was in an “area of high deprivation” and has about 8,668 people registered.

Inspectors rated it “good” overall, including in the categories “safe”, “effective”, “caring”, “responsive” and “well-led”.

The inspector said there was a “strong focus” on learning and making improvements.

“We saw the practice management team investigated concerns and audited appropriately,” the report detailed.

“Staff involved people in decisions about their care and treatment and supported them to ask questions.

“Care and treatment were routinely monitored to ensure people received care and treatment in line with best practice guidance.”

Practice manager, Nicola Reeves, has worked in Swale for more than 20 years and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the GP surgery.

“The practice staff have worked hard to turn the practice around,” Nicola said.

“We have a strong management team led by Dr Adigwe and a strong practice team who all work together for the benefit of our patients.

“We are all delighted with the latest CQC rating.”

A spokesman from the surgery added that the improvements involved a focus on workforce, changes to prescribing processes and a more “multi-disciplinary” approach.

Sukh Singh, director of primary and community (out of hospital) care for NHS Kent and Medway said: “Supporting practices to be rated ‘good’ by the CQC is a key part of our strategy to improve general practice services across Kent and Medway.

“Specialist teams have offered recommendations and advice on sustainable improvements which the practice received well and responded to.

“They have worked diligently and committedly and we are delighted for them and for their patients who can now access improved services.”