Cecil Avenue Surgery, Hornchurch, in the London borough of Havering, has been rated Inadequate overall and placed in special measures.
The surgery was rated Inadequate for being safe and well-led. However, it was rated Good for being effective, caring and responsive, following the inspection in July 2018. Previously it was rated Requires Improvement after an inspection in June 2017.
Inspectors found that the management of the risks associated with fire, health and safety, premises and hazardous substances continued to be either unidentified and there were risks for both staff and patients.
The practice did not have a system in place to check whether staff vaccinations were maintained in line with current Public Health England guidance.
The practice had oxygen and a defibrillator which the practice manager said was checked by the GP. However, inspectors found two masks had passed the date for safe use and there was no documentary evidence of regular checks of the emergency equipment.
The practice did not always have systems in place to make sure equipment, staff training, clinical waste, medicines documentation, legionella monitoring and staff immunisations were up to date. The surgery did not provide any evidence of medical indemnity insurance for the nurse.
However, the majority of patients asked said that the practice was excellent and they were treated with dignity and respect. They stated they could not fault the care, were always listened to and the doctor explained things clearly.
Areas where the provider must make improvements are:
- Ensuring care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.
- Establishing effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.
The provider should review the approach for identifying and providing support to patients with caring responsibilities.
Professor Ursula Gallagher, CQC Deputy Chief Inspector of GP Practices, said:
“I am disappointed that that Cecil Avenue Surgery is now rated Inadequate overall and that having been rated as Requires Improvement, the practice has not improved but has deteriorated to the extent we are now putting it in special measures.
“We will continue to monitor Cecil Avenue 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.
“However, I do note that the practice is doing some things right as it has been rated Good for being effective caring and responsive.”
I am disappointed that that Cecil Avenue Surgery is now rated Inadequate overall
Professor Ursula Gallagher, CQC Deputy Chief Inspector of GP Practices