The Care Quality Commission has again told Dr Steven Nimmo (also known as The Barton Surgery Plymstock) based at Horn Lane, Plymstock, Plymouth that further improvements are required to the practice services.
Dr Nimmo had been previously rated Good during an inspection in November 2018.
The latest inspection in October 2019, was in response to concerns shared with the CQC around staffing and safe care and treatment of patients.
As a result of this inspection the practice was rated Inadequate overall. Dr Nimmo is also Inadequate for being safe, effective and well led, responsive to people’s needs and caring.
Following this inspection CQC took immediate enforcement action and served an urgent suspension notice on Dr Nimmo’s s registration. The urgent suspension for the registered location took effect on 28 October until the 25 November 2019. This action was taken because CQC believed that patients could have been exposed to the risk of harm if we did not do so.
Following this inspection CQC were made aware that the provider had handed his NHS contract back and the practice would be closing. Had this not been the case then the practice would have been placed in special measures. Services placed in special measures would be inspected again within six months. If insufficient improvements had been made such that there remained a rating of inadequate for any population group, key question or overall, further action in line with our enforcement procedures would begin.
You can read the full report of the inspection when it has been published on CQC’s website at: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-484487203
Garry Higgins, Head of Inspection for General Practice for the South West of England, said:
“Our findings during our inspection of Barton Surgery caused concern that resulted in us suspending the practice’s registration to remove the likelihood of patients being exposed to the risk of harm.
"In the time since, Dr Nimmo has agreed to return his contract to the clinical commissioning group and close his practice. The evidence gathered by inspectors is reflected in our ‘inadequate rating’ for the practice which would have resulted in Barton Surgery been placed into special measure had it remained registered with us.”
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For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Manager, John Scott on 07789 875 809 or, for media enquiries, call the press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours.
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