Peckham’s The Acorn & Gaumont House Surgery has been rated Inadequate overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
CQC rated the practice, in the London borough of Southwark, as Inadequate for being safe, responsive and well-led. It was rated Requires Improvement for being effective and caring, following the inspection in July 2019.
Inspectors found that systems in place for managing patients prescribed medicines, including high risk medicines, did not ensure adherence to guidance or that patients remained safe.
A review of records indicated that there was an inconsistent approach to the management of safeguarding concerns and some staff were unable to outline what would constitute a safeguarding concern.
Effective governance was lacking in key areas of operation which exposed patients to risk of harm. Not all risks were adequately considered and mitigated.
Comments from the national GP patient survey, CQC comment card and interviews with patients indicated that some patients found it difficult to access care and treatment at the practice. The practice had taken steps to improve access in response to feedback from patients.
The practice must now:
- Ensure that care and treatment is provided in a safe way.
- Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.
- Ensure patients are protected from abuse and improper treatment
The areas where the provider should make improvements include:
- Make all staff aware of legislation and guidelines related to seeking consent.
- Encourage uptake of cancer screening programmes.
- Improve and expand systems for reviewing clinical consultations.
- Review staffing levels and ensure staffing is sufficient to be able to provide adequate access and carry out regulated activities safely.
Head of Inspection for Primary Medical Services in London, Antony Hall, said: “We are placing this service in special measures. Services placed in special measures will be inspected again within six months. The service will be kept under review and if needed could be escalated to urgent enforcement action.
“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 by clicking on: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-572860778
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