Newham practice is Inadequate in all areas rated by CQC

Published: 9 March 2018 Page last updated: 3 November 2022
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A Newham GP practice has been rated Inadequate overall by the Care Quality Commission.

Custom House Medical, Teaching and Training Practice in Freemasons Road has been rated Inadequate in all areas CQC inspects: being safe; effective; caring; responsive and well-led - following an inspection in January 2018.

CQC inspectors found that a broad range of clinical and patient satisfaction performance indicators were below local and national averages and it has now been placed into special measures. Special measures will give people who use the service the reassurance that the care they get should improve.

Risks to patients were not always assessed and well managed including premises, equipment, fire safety and infection control.

There were gaps in staff training and recruitment checks including safeguarding and references checks for clinical staff.

The practice had experienced significant changes in staffing, including practice management and a high turnover of GPs.

A broad range of clinical and patient satisfaction performance indicators were below local and national averages.

The practice did not have effective governance systems to ensure effective management of significant events and safety alerts.

Premises improvement works were underway.

The practice must now:

  • Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.
  • Ensure recruitment procedures are established and operated effectively to ensure only fit and proper persons are employed.
  • Ensure persons employed in the provision of the regulated activity receive the appropriate support, training, professional development, supervision and appraisal necessary to enable them to carry out the duties.
  • Ensure all premises and equipment used by the service provider are fit for use.
  • Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

The practice should:

  • Review arrangements for responding to patient feedback.
  • Review arrangements for recording clinical audits.

Acting Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice, Michele Golden, said:

“It is disappointing to see Custom House Medical, Teaching and Training Practice is Inadequate in all categories that CQC rates. There must now be substantial improvements at this practice."

“I note there have been significant changes in staffing, including practice management and a high turnover of GPs and this needs to be addressed."

“The practice is now in special measures which is a supportive move by CQC. The service will be kept under review and could be escalated to urgent enforcement action. Where necessary, another inspection will be conducted within a further six months, and if there is not enough improvement we will move to close the service.”

You can read the report in full when it is published on our website.

Ends

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There must now be substantial improvements at this practice

Michele Golden, Acting Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice

About the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

We make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve.

We monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and we publish what we find to help people choose care.