In the world of primary care, where every day presents new challenges, resilience and perseverance often define the success of a practice. Dr. Jamie Green’s recent account of his practice’s struggles following a seven-month delay in receiving CQC inspection results is a story that resonates with so many GP surgeries across the UK.
But today, we’re not just talking about the challenges. We’re here to celebrate his hard-earned Good rating and to commend his courage in sharing the very real impact that the uncertainty had on his team, his patients, and his practice.
📖 Read Dr. Green’s full article on Pulse Today: Seven-month CQC results delay caused immense damage to our GP practice
The Struggles Behind the Success
Dr. Green’s practice faced immense difficulties due to the prolonged waiting period for their CQC re-inspection results. With their previous rating of Requires Improvement hanging over them for far longer than expected, they encountered:
🔹 Staff Morale and Retention Challenges – The uncertainty about the practice’s future led to increased stress among the team, making it difficult to retain and recruit staff. In an already stretched workforce, this added an unnecessary burden.
🔹 Erosion of Patient Confidence – With the public able to see outdated ratings online, patients started to question the quality of care they were receiving, despite improvements already being made within the practice.
🔹 Financial and Operational Strain – Planning for the future became incredibly difficult. Investment decisions were delayed, resources were stretched, and the ongoing uncertainty made sustainable improvements harder to implement.
Yet, despite these hurdles, Dr. Green and his team never gave up. They continued pushing forward, ensuring they met the necessary standards and provided the best possible care to their community.
A Hard-Earned Good Rating
After months of waiting, the results finally arrived – a well-deserved Good rating. This wasn’t just an acknowledgment of compliance but a recognition of dedication, leadership, and patient-centered care.
By bravely sharing his experience, Dr. Green has highlighted an issue that many GP practices face – delays in regulatory decisions can have a profound impact on staff well-being, patient trust, and the overall stability of primary care.
His story is a testament to the resilience of general practice teams, proving that with strong leadership, a committed team, and a patient-first approach, positive change is always possible.
Lessons for Other Practices
Dr. Green’s experience serves as both a warning and a source of encouragement for other GP practices navigating the CQC process. Here are some key takeaways:
✅ Keep Your Team Motivated – Even when facing uncertainty, fostering a strong, engaged team can make all the difference.
✅ Communicate Proactively with Patients – Be transparent about improvements being made so that patients don’t rely solely on outdated ratings.
✅ Document and Evidence Everything – Having a robust governance framework and clear records can help make your case when results are delayed.
✅ Seek Support When Needed – Whether through peer networks, compliance consultants, or CQC preparation resources, no practice has to go through this alone.
Congratulations, Dr. Green!
Achieving a Good rating is no small feat, and we commend Dr. Green and his team for their dedication to improving patient care despite the setbacks they faced. More importantly, we appreciate his willingness to share his experience, shedding light on the realities of CQC delays and the real impact they have on practices.
If your practice is currently preparing for a CQC inspection or facing similar challenges, Dr. Green’s journey is proof that with determination, the right strategy, and a strong team, success is within reach.
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Once again, congratulations to Dr. Green and his team – your story is an inspiration! 🎉👏