CQC rates Devon-based NHS 111, Clinical Assessment Service and Out of Hours services as ‘Good’
8 June 2026
Practice Plus Group Integrated Urgent Care (IUC) is pleased to announce that its Devon-based NHS 111, Clinical Assessment Service (CAS) and Out of Hours services have been rated “Good” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), following a comprehensive inspection.
The services, commissioned by Devon Integrated Care Board, went live in late 2022. Since then, teams across the organisation have worked collaboratively to deliver safe, high-quality care for patients across the region.
The CQC’s report recognises the dedication, professionalism and teamwork demonstrated across the service, highlighting a strong culture of safety, openness and continuous improvement.
Inspectors praised Practice Plus Group’s proactive learning culture, noting that staff feel supported to raise concerns, share insights and work together to improve patient outcomes. The report also commended the compassionate and supportive environment fostered by colleagues, alongside robust systems for investigating incidents and ensuring lessons are learned.
Particular recognition was given to the way teams work together to keep people safe, including strong safeguarding arrangements, effective patient safety investigations, and excellent partnership working across the wider urgent care system.
Areas of Good Practice
The inspection highlighted several key strengths, including:
- A positive and open safety culture where staff feel empowered to speak up
- Strong incident investigation processes focused on learning, not blame
- Effective systems for monitoring patient safety and care pathways
- High standards of safeguarding and staff support
- Safe staffing, recruitment and workforce planning processes
- Ongoing investment in training, development and career progression
- Excellent collaboration with healthcare partners to improve patient outcomes
The report also acknowledged the significant efforts made by teams to manage high demand safely and effectively, despite increasing pressures across urgent care services nationally. Throughout this period, the service has remained focused on delivering safe, responsive care for patients.
This achievement reflects the commitment, resilience and professionalism shown every day by the Practice Plus Group workforce.
Kevin Brown, National Director of Integrated Urgent Care, said:
“We are delighted with the findings. This reflects the commitment, resilience and professionalism shown every day by our whole workforce.
“We are never complacent — our continuous improvement mindset and strong culture ensure the patients of Devon continue to get the best service we can provide. I am incredibly proud of my teams, who have worked diligently to transform the services from where they were when we were first awarded the contract.”
