Portswood GP surgery rated Inadequate by Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission has placed the GP practice of Dr G C Ord-Hume and Partners in Alma Road Medical Centre, Alma Road, Portswood, Southampton into special measures following a comprehensive inspection which has rated it as Inadequate.

The practice will now be able to access support from NHS England and the Royal College of General Practice to help it improve.

Under CQC’s programme of inspections, all GP practices are being given a rating according to whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

The full report from the inspection, in December 2015, has been published on the CQC website: www.cqc.org.uk/provider/1-199750310.

Janet Williamson, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice said:

“Dr G C Ord-Hume and Partners provides general medical services to over 10,000 registered patients. All patients are entitled to expect high quality and consistent care from their GP practice.

“While we found staff caring and rated them good for this, we also found significant areas of concern, which is why we are placing this practice into special measures. This will enable them to receive a package of support to help them improve, from NHS England and the Royal College of GPs.

“We will continue to monitor progress and we will inspect again in six months to check whether sufficient improvements have been made. I am hopeful that the practice will do what is required for the sake of their patients, but if we find that services remain inadequate, we will consider taking further action."

CQC have identified a number of areas where the practice must make improvements including:

• Ensure recruitment arrangements include all necessary employment checks for all staff.
• Ensure that a robust system is in place for the review and action of pathology results. 
• Carry out full clinical audits and re-audits to improve patient outcomes.
• Ensure new and existing staff receive the training, learning and development necessary for them to fulfil the requirements of their role, including training in adult safeguarding.
• Ensure an infection control audit is undertaken, and that any subsequent areas identified for improvement are actioned.
• Ensure work to minimise risk from legionella infection is carried out.
• Address the patient survey results to improve the patient experience and apply understanding to the future direction of the practice.

Ends

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