A MEDICAL centre in Lyme Regis has made improvements to its service to be judged 'good' following its latest inspection.

Lyme Regis Medical Centre along Uplyme Road was marked as 'good' overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The practice was also judged as 'good' for effective services, caring services, well-led services and for offering services responsive to people's needs. But the medical centre requires improvement for the safety of services after blank prescriptions were not stored safely.

The medical centre is operated by VH Doctors Limited, part of the Virgin Care organisation and provides care to approximately 4,500 patients.

The practice is also contracted by NHS England to provide a nurse-led Minor Injuries Unit, open to patients and non-patients.

In October 2015, the CQC rated the medical centre as 'requires improvement' - including 'inadequate' for effective services.

Last year, Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of general practice for the CQC, said: "We found this Minor Injuries service was not safe and patients were at risk of harm because systems and processes were not in place to keep them safe."

In the latest report, Prof Field praised the practice for making improvements to the Minor Injuries Unit.

He said: "The Minor Injuries Unit now offers treatment appropriate to the training and skills of the staff on duty.

"There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.

"Risks to patients were assessed and well managed. Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.

"Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment."

Although the practice was praised for keeping patients safe from abuse, it was criticised for the security of clinical areas.

The report continued: "The practice had clearly defined and embedded systems, processes and practices in place to keep patients safe and safeguarded from abuse.

"Risks to patients were assessed and well managed, with the exception of the security of clinical areas. Blank prescriptions were not stored securely at all times."

Alison Robinson, service manager at Lyme Regis Medical Centre, said: “All of us here at Lyme Regis Medical Centre work very hard to make sure that patients get the best possible care.

"It’s wonderful that the CQC has recognised the good work we’ve done and continue to do to deliver that and continue improving the service we offer.”