A North Staffordshire GP practice has been rated outstanding for a second time by the health watchdog.

Staff at Wolstanton Medical Centre have welcomed the results of the latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The report was published earlier this month, following an assessment in November. Inspectors found that staff "treated people with kindness and compassion, demonstrating a genuine commitment to providing people with the highest level of care."

Andy Brand, CQC deputy director of operations in the West Midlands, said: "When we visited Wolstanton Medical Centre, we found a service committed to providing person-centred care. People were kept safe and well supported by a team of well-qualified, experienced staff.

"People with learning disabilities were supported by a dedicated in-house team to ensure their needs were met and reviews completed, which had a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.

"The service also worked closely with LGBTQIA+ people to ensure they were invited to relevant national screening programmes.

"Staff took an overall holistic view in supporting people to live healthier lives, focusing on lifestyle as well as health management.

"With research showing how regular walking significantly improves mental and physical wellbeing by reducing stress, anxiety and social isolation, leaders had worked in collaboration with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust to fund five guided walks a year.

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"We found partnership working embedded into the practice's culture. Staff collaborated with partners to share information and learning, ensuring services worked together seamlessly for people.

"In addition, the practice has been a huge support to people outside its health-related duties. During the Covid-19 pandemic, leaders recognised the profound impact the lockdowns had on people's mental health and increased social isolation.

"Staff developed a community garden, creating an environment for people to sit and meet with others. The service now collaborates with a local charity for people with acquired brain injuries to maintain the garden and provide valuable rehabilitation activities for its members.

"Leaders and staff should be incredibly proud of the care they provide and the culture they've implemented for the benefit of people and the wider community."

The centre in Palmerston Street, Wolstanton, provides health services for almost 11,000 patients. Its previous inspection took place in 2016.

GP partners John Edwards and Elizabeth Cottrell said: "We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of our recent inspection, as this is not an assessment based on one snapshot in time but acknowledges the ongoing hard working, dedicated, caring and 'can-do' attitude among our staff.

"This outcome was only possible as every one of our team is invested in giving the best possible care to our patients but also to each other.

"Since our last inspection, primary care has changed immensely and the Covid-19 pandemic brought many new and significant challenges for the NHS and country as a whole; these were strongly felt among our organisation and local community.

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"We have actively tried to be a consistent, accessible and meaningful source of support to our patients, to improve and maintain their physical and mental wellbeing and to connect with the community in a more personal way.

"To continue delivering high quality, patient centred care in a way in which the staff also feel cared for and supported has been a key priority for us and this rating is a fantastic recognition that we are achieving this. We look forward to building on the strengths in our approach in the years to come."