CQC rate Dr M L Swami and Partners, Reading as Inadequate

England’s Chief Inspector of General Practice has placed an Berkshire GP practice into special measures following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

A specialist team of inspectors has given Dr M L Swami and Partners in Russell Street, Reading an overall rating of Inadequate. The practice has been placed into special measures.

Under CQC’s new programme of inspections, led by Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice, all of England’s GP practices are being inspected and given a rating.

Dr M L Swami & Partners was inspected in January by a CQC team which included a CQC lead inspector, a GP specialist adviser and a Practice manager specialist advisor.

A full report of this inspection has been published on the CQC website today.

Ruth Rankine, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice said:

“The way in which the partners operated the service failed to meet the fundamental aspects of good health care that people have the right to expect - high quality, compassionate and safe. There are significant issues to be resolved and the practice can receive the required support to improve through the special measures programme.

We will re-inspect the practice within six months to check whether sufficient improvements have been made. If we find that the service provided by this practice remains inadequate, we will consider further enforcement action."

The Care Quality Commission has identified areas for improvement, which included:

• Ensure there are systems in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of the services provided, and to identify, assess and manage risks relating to health, welfare and safety of patients. This included infection control audits, correct and appropriate levels of suitably trained staff and arrangements are in place to deal with emergencies and major incidents.
• Ensure staff receive regular appropriate training, specific to their role which includes, training in safeguarding, infection control and chaperoning.
• Ensure systems are in place to monitor fridge temperatures and that systems are in place for all medicines to be stored safely and securely.

Ends

For media enquiries, contact John Scott, Regional Engagement Manager, on 077898 75809 or contact CQC’s press office on 020 7448 9401, during office hours, or, out of hours, on 0778 987 6508. For general enquiries, call 03000 61 61 61.