Doctors at Halesowen Health Centre are "delighted" it has been rated good overall - after a previous inspection back in February 2017 found it was inadequate.

Also known as Stourside Medical Practice - the health centre on Birmingham Street provides GP services to around 6,320 patients.

Previously rated as requires improvement in November 2017 and inadequate back in February 2017 - the practice was rated as ‘good’ overall for being safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission in October 2018.

During the visit, inspectors identified the high standards of safety in place at the practice and said risks were well managed.

They noted patients’ needs were assessed and care and treatment was delivered according to guidelines.

The CQC found the practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen, it routinely reviewed the effectiveness of the care it provided, had a proactive approach in helping patients live healthier lives, staff treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect and there was a focus on continuous learning and improvement.

The report said improvements could be made by giving reception staff training to identify serious medical conditions and exploring how patient satisfaction rates could be improved.

A full report of the inspection is at www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-2369603587

Dr Ruth Hearne, GP at Stourside Medical Practice said, "We are passionate about providing excellent patient care and we are delighted this is reflected within the report which rates us as good in every area."

Steve Wellings, Chair, Primary Care Commissioning Committee said, “I am very pleased Stourside Medical Practice has improved to such an extent that the rating is now good overall, it is a testament to the hard work and commitment of all the staff who played a part in making it happen.

"It is clear that the practice is providing an effective, caring and well led service which is a real asset to the people living in this part of Halesowen, and we congratulate them on their new rating."

The practice had been based at three locations - Halesowen Health Centre in Birmingham Street - and branches Coombswood Surgery in Coombs Road and Tenlands Road Surgery - the two branches were closed in September 2018 with the practice now operating from a single site.