Dr Shabir Bhatti’s practice in Bermondsey, south London, has been rated as Inadequate overall by the Care Quality Commission.
Also known as Bermondsey Spa Medical Practice, it was rated Inadequate in all categories CQC rates: for being safe; effective; caring; responsive and well-led following an inspection in July 2018. In 2017 the practice was rated as Good overall.
CQC has issued an urgent notice of suspension of surgical procedures for a period of three months from 17 July 2018 and the practice is now in special measures.
The practice did not have clear systems to manage risks to patient safety; particularly in relation to infection prevention and control during surgical procedures, medicines management and dealing with medical emergencies.
Consent was not being lawfully sought in relation to surgical procedures. The practice did not routinely review the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided.
Inspectors found there were poor governance practices, which meant safety systems and processes did not minimise risks relating to infection prevention and control, suitable staffing, arrangements for dealing with medical emergencies, medicines management, and acting on and learning from internal and external safety events.
Patients reported that they were not able to access care when they needed it. They were not able to get through to the practice phone lines, and appointments were not available when they needed them.
Although there were arrangements in place to support continuous learning and improvement for staff at all levels, these were not consistently effective.
Areas where the practice must now make improvements - where it is in breach or regulations are:
- Ensuring care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.
- Ensuring systems and processes are established and operated effectively to comply with the requirementsof good governance.
- Ensuring care and treatment of service users is provided with the consent of the relevant person.
Professor Ursula Gallagher, CQC Deputy Chief Inspector of GP Practices, said:
“I am disappointed that that Dr Shabir Bhatti’s practice is now rated Inadequate overall and we are putting it in special measures. It was previously rated Good.
“We will continue to monitor the practice and will inspect again within six months. If insufficient improvements have been made we will take action in line with our enforcement procedures to begin the process of preventing the provider from operating the service.
“Special measures will give people who use the service the reassurance that the care they get should improve.”
Special measures will give people who use the service the reassurance that the care they get should improve
Professor Ursula Gallagher, CQC Deputy Chief Inspector of GP Practices