A Haringey surgery has been rated Inadequate overall by the Care Quality Commission.
Hornsey Park Surgery in Turnpike Lane was rated Inadequate for being safe and well-led, Requires Improvement for being effective and caring and Good for being responsive, following an inspection during May and June 2019.
Inspectors found that when things went wrong, the approach to reviewing and investigating causes was inadequate and there was little evidence of sharing learning from events.
Staff did not assess, monitor or manage risks to patients who used the services. For example, infection risks were not properly identified or acted upon.
An absence of clinical leadership support for locum staff increased risks to patients who used the service. For example, the principal GP went on sick leave in March 2019, but interim safeguarding arrangements had not been effectively communicated to staff.
Leaders could not demonstrate that they had the capacity and skills to deliver high quality, sustainable care. They were out of touch with what was happening during day to day services.
There was minimal engagement with the 4,400 patients who used the practice.
CQC saw little evidence of systems and processes for managing risks, issues and performance.
An absence of clinical leadership meant the outcomes of patients’ care and treatment was not monitored effectively, as regular clinical meetings did not take place.
However, CQC did rate the practice as Good for being responsive. Patient satisfaction on the types of appointment offered and telephone access were above national averages. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
The practice must now:
- Ensure that care and treatment is provided in a safe way.
- Ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.
Head of Inspection for Primary Medical Services in London, Antony Hall, said: “We are placing Hornsey Park Surgery in special measures. Services placed in special measures will be inspected again within six months and if there is not enough improvement we may move to close the service by adopting our proposal to remove this location or cancel the provider’s registration.
“Special measures will give people who use the service the reassurance that the care they get should improve.”
You can read the inspection report in full when it appears on CQC’s website at: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-497189044
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