Mansfield doctor announced as GP of the Year

Dr Karen Brown (pictured above receiving her award) won the prize at a glittering ceremony in central London last night and was praised for ‘dramatically improving’ standards at her practice and patient care.

Before Dr Brown took on the role of GP principal in July 2016, the Jacksdale surgery had previously been ‘red rated’ by its CCG in June 2015 and rated ‘requires improvement’ by the CQC for its infection control standards.

But after Dr Brown undertook full refurbishment of the practice funded by herself, the practice has now strengthened infection prevention and control management structures, and has been given a clean bill of health by CCG and CQC inspectors.

As part of her overhaul of the practice, she employed an advanced nurse practitioner to take on consultations, increased the number of telephone consultations and signed up to the minor injuries local enhanced service.

As well as becoming fully compliant with required standards, these changes have resulted in the practice doubling its QOF points, increasing its patient list and a decreasing A&E activity - to the extent it has achieved the lowest A&E percentage within the local area.

Following the improvements made by Dr Brown, it has been reported that staff morale is at its highest, and that the staff enjoy work and feel valued at the practice. The working day at the practice is more effective as there is more organisation and staff understand what is expected of them.

Nikki Hughes, the prevention and control matron at NHS Mansfield and Ashfield CCG said: “I visited Jacksdale Practice to carry out a routine infection prevention and control audit, where it was identified that standards were poor and the building and environment were not satisfactory.

Dr Brown has made significant improvements to both infection prevention and control standards to address the issues raised in the audit and to the building and environment. The practice has improved dramatically in all areas including patient care.”