A GP practice in Newham, north east London, has been placed into special measures after it was rated as Inadequate by the Care Quality Commission during an inspection in June.
CQC inspectors found Dr Surendra Kumar Dhariwal’s practice in Manor Park to be Inadequate for providing safe, effective and well-led services. It Requires Improvement for providing caring and responsive services.
Under CQC’s programme of inspections, all of England’s GP practices are being inspected and given a rating. A full report of the inspection is available on this website.
Inspectors found that patients were at risk of harm because systems and processes were not in place to keep them safe. These included:
- There was no emergency oxygen or checks on equipment for dealing with a medical emergency
- Medicines and first aid items were out of date
- There was clutter at the practice – including in a fire exit
- Carpets were stained and clinical equipment was visibly dirty.
However, patients were positive about their interactions with staff and said they were treated with compassion and dignity.
Ursula Gallagher, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice, said: “It is important that the people who are registered with Dr Surendra Kumar Dhariwal can rely on getting the high quality care which everyone is entitled to receive from their GP.
“Although some people told us staff were caring and treated patients with dignity and compassion, our inspection found evidence of poor practice that placed the patients at risk together with a lack of clear leadership and management.
“I do not believe that the practice is likely to resolve its challenges without external support. This is why we are placing the practice into special measures.
“After a period of six months we will inspect again to check whether sufficient improvements have been made. If we find that the service provided by this practice remains Inadequate, we will consider taking steps to cancel its registration with CQC.”
Patients registered with practices being placed into special measures should be aware that the package of support being offered by NHS England and the Royal College of GPs will ensure that there are no immediate risks to patient safety at these GP practices whilst improvements are being made.
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