A VILLAGE GP practice has been rated 'good' by a care watchdog.

Corbridge Medical Group, Corbridge Health Centre, was given the rating after inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in August.

The surgery was 'good' in the categories 'safe', 'effective', 'caring' and 'well-led' and 'outstanding' for 'responsive'.

In 2016, the doctors was rated as 'outstanding' overall and for the key questions 'responsive' and 'well-led'. It was 'good' for 'safe', 'effective' and 'caring'.

The report of the unannounced, focused inspection said areas previously regarded as outstanding were now embedded throughout the majority of GP practices.

Inspectors conducted a short site visit and gathered information from the surgery, staff and searches of patient records.

The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm, the report said. Patients also received effective care and treatment that met their needs.

Inspectors found the practice was working hard to ensure backlogs created by Covid-19 were being reduced quickly and safely, and that during the pandemic, it adjusted how it delivered services to meet the needs of patients.

The report also praised the way the practice was led and managed, saying it promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care.

Examples of outstanding practice included how the surgery had carefully assessed the way it managed access for people exhibiting potential symptoms of cancer, resulting in a fall in mortality rates; the development of a local paramedic home visiting service and promoting a positive and supportive culture within the workforce.