Link to Audit: Continuity of Care and Named GP Accountability Audit
Continuity of care has always been at the heart of general practice, it’s what makes primary care personal, trusted, and effective.
But as practices grow, teams expand, and patient demand increases, maintaining that sense of connection and responsibility becomes a real governance challenge.
CQC inspectors are increasingly focused on how practices ensure that patients have a named accountable GP, that handovers are safe, and that care remains coordinated and person-centred – especially for those with long-term or complex conditions.
This week’s audit focuses on how practices can evidence those principles in action.
🔍 Why This Audit Was Created
This audit was designed to help practices evaluate how effectively they:
- Allocate, communicate, and maintain named GP responsibilities.
- Support safe handovers and ongoing care between clinicians.
- Review patient feedback and learning related to continuity.
- Embed oversight of continuity within their governance framework.
It aligns with:
- Regulation 9: Person-centred care
- Regulation 12: Safe care and treatment
- Regulation 17: Good governance
and supports the CQC “We” statements on:
- Care provision, integration, and continuity (Responsive)
- How staff and teams work together (Effective)
- Governance, management and sustainability (Well-led)
💬 Why This Matters
Continuity of care isn’t just a compliance requirement, it’s a defining feature of safe, effective, and compassionate general practice.
When patients see familiar clinicians, they experience more consistent, trusted, and coordinated care. It improves safety by reducing handover errors, strengthens patient relationships through trust and familiarity, and supports clinicians by making care more efficient and rewarding.
In larger or multi-site practices, this requires strong systems, clear communication, and proactive governance, which this audit helps you to assess.
What Good Looks Like
- Every patient has a named GP, communicated clearly and visible on records.
- Systems are in place to support continuity during absences or part-time schedules.
- Handovers are structured, documented, and reviewed.
- Leadership monitors continuity indicators (feedback, safety events, patient experiences).
- Teams share learning and improvement actions through governance meetings.
✅ Final Thoughts
Continuity of care is what transforms a consultation into a relationship, and a health service into a community.
By completing the Continuity of Care and Named GP Accountability Audit, practices can demonstrate that:
- Patients receive coordinated, ongoing care from a clinician who knows them.
- Staff communicate and collaborate effectively to maintain safety and trust.
- Leaders actively monitor and strengthen continuity as part of good governance.
It’s not just about assigning a name on a record – it’s about ownership, consistency, and the connection that defines outstanding general practice.
