An Oldham GP has been given a ‘good’ rating from the health watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) gave Werneth Medical Practice an overall rating of ‘good’, in a report published on Wednesday, August 30 – the second highest rating behind ‘outstanding’.

The surgery, located within the Werneth Primary Care Centre on Featherstall Road South, was rated ‘good’ in all areas bar one, a slight downgrade from its previous rating where it received good in all areas.

When asking whether services were ‘effective’, the practice received the lower rating of ‘requires improvement’.

The slightly lower rating was because uptake for childhood immunisations was below World Health Organization (WHO) targets, and the uptake of cervical screening was just 39.3 per cent – well under the 80 per cent national target.

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According to the full report, only 60.9 per cent of children aged five had received two doses of the MMR vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella.

This is well below the WHO target, which is 95 per cent.

Just 45.8 per cent of children aged one had completed a primary course of vaccination against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Pertussis, Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), and Hepatitis B – also well below the 95 per cent target.

The report said these variations in rates of childhood vaccinations and cervical screenings were because of ‘cultural and demographic reasons’, with the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership concurring.

The practice had also been unsuccessfully advertising for a practice nurse continuously for three years, according to the report, adding to difficulties with cervical screening.

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The report, however, was mostly positive – with good ratings given in all other areas.

Chief inspector Dr Sean O’Kelly said the practice ‘dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care’, and commended the practice for allowing patients to ‘access care and treatment in a timely way’.

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Leadership at the practice was also praised, with the team said to promote high-quality, person-centred care.

The practice also was noted positively for prescribing antibacterials at a lower rate than regionally and nationally.

A Werneth Medical Practice spokesperson said: “Following our recent national GP survey results we are hopeful that this recent inspection shows a more accurate depiction of the services that we provide at Werneth Medical Practice.

“A low uptake of cervical smears and childhood vaccinations were highlighted in the report, and we feel that despite our best efforts, there is a lack of understanding of their importance.

“We would like to encourage patients to be proactive in having these preventative measures.

“We hope that this good inspection result provides the local community with confidence, whilst we strive to maintain the highest standards of patient care and safety.”