Green Meadows Partnership, Berkshire, rated Inadequate and placed into special measures by CQC

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

A specialist team of inspectors has given Green Meadows Partnership in Winkfield Road, Ascot Berkshire an overall rating of Inadequate and 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.

Green Meadows Partnership was inspected in May by a CQC team which included a CQC inspector and three specialist advisors (a GP, a Nurse and a Practice Manager) and an Expert by Experience.

A full report of this inspection has been published on the CQC website today: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-537713791.

Ruth Rankine, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice said:

“The way in which the service was provided by Green Meadows Partnership failed to meet the fundamental aspects of good health care that people have the right to expect. There are significant issues to be resolved, but with the right support through the special measures regime, I believe the practice can improve."

"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."

Geoff Payne, Medical Director, NHS England, said:

“The CQC GP Inspection report for Green Meadows Partnership highlights several areas requiring improvement in the management of the practice including, recruitment, infection control processes and staff training. The practice also received a rating of good for providing a caring service.

“We would like to reassure patients that their safety is our top priority. We will continue to work with the practice alongside the Bracknell and Ascot Clinical Commissioning Group and the Royal College of General Practitioners to help support the development and implementation of an action plan so that improvements can be made quickly.

“We encourage patients to continue to support the practice.”

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

• The practice review recruitment arrangements to include all necessary employment checks are undertaken for all staff and appropriate records kept.
• The practice implement the systems to assess and manage the risks of health related infections. For example, ensuring patients, staff and visitors are protected from the risk of water borne infection by means of completing a legionella risk assessment.
• Ensure all staff have access to appropriate policies, procedures and guidance to carry out their role, such as information about whistleblowing .and safeguarding.

Ends

For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Manager John Scott on 07789 875809 or, for media enquiries, call the press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours. Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here. (Please note: the duty press officer is unable to advise members of the public on health or social care matters).

For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61.