A GP practice in inner city Bradford which is run as a social enterprise was today praised by the Care Quality Commission as being one of the best in the country.

Bevan Healthcare has been given an ‘outstanding’ by the CQC for the standard of care it provides to its patients, which include homeless people, asylum seekers and refugees, across the Bradford district The practice provides a full range of GP services to its patients and works with partner organisations to offer a wider holistic service which supports people to find stable accommodation, training and employment – and move on to mainstream healthcare.

Gina Rowlands, managing director of Bevan Healthcare, said: “I’m delighted that the CQC has rated us as ‘outstanding’ in each of the five key areas and awarded an outstanding overall result.

“It’s a tremendous accolade for our patients and the inclusive health service we provide. The whole practice team has contributed enormously to this outcome with persistent hard work, dedication and a fantastic attitude.”

Andy Lephard, medical director of Bevan Healthcare, said: “The team is motivated by the belief that people in the toughest of circumstances should have access to high quality care that is appropriate to them. Our patients inspire us and help us learn how to provide that.”

Dr Akram Khan, clinical chairman of NHS Bradford City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “This is a tremendous achievement for the practice which supports some of the most socially excluded groups of people in the district, who often struggle to access mainstream services.

"It reflects the commitment they have to help people live healthier lives, whatever their background or circumstances, and support them in other areas of their life.

“Over the years the practice has gone from strength to strength, delivering primary care in such an innovative way and helping to reduce health inequalities. Its services pave the way for patients to transfer back into mainstream healthcare and integrate into the wider community.”

It is second GP practice in Bradford to receive the highest CQC rating: last year Tong Medical Practice was also rated as outstanding.

Meanwhile, the CQC has warned the owners of a Haworth residential home that standards need to improve.

Bronte Park Residential Home in Bridgehouse Lane has been rated as requiring improvement.

Stewart Crabtree, who owns the home, said on the whole the inspector's report had been good but he was disappointed the ranking had been based on his staff not having safeguarding training.

"It wasn't that they didn't have safeguarding treatment. They had all had that training but it needed to be refreshed. We had a date scheduled in for that and indeed some staff had already done it when the inspectors came," he said.

Routes Healthcare home service, based at Royds Enterprise Park in Bradford, but with clients in the Halifax area was also ranked as requiring improvement. No-one was available to comment.

To see the full reports go to cqc.org.uk