Slough GP surgery rated Inadequate by Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission has placed the GP practice of Dr Veena Sharma in Slough 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 November 2015, has been published on this website.

Ruth Rankine, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice said:

“Dr Veema Sharma provides general medical services to over 4,500 registered patients. All patients are entitled to expect high quality and consistent care from their GP practice.

“We have 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 RCGP.

“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."

Dr Geoff Payne, Medical Director, NHS England, said:

“The CQC report for Dr Veena Sharma’s Surgery rates the practice as ‘inadequate’ for a number of areas however staff have been recognised for treating patients with compassion, dignity and respect and for their commitment to patients demonstrated by the involvement of their patient participation group.

"However, there are several areas where improvements need to be made in the management of the practice including the administration of meetings, staff capacity, managing risks and sharing and acting upon learning.

“Patient safety is our top priority. Together with Slough Clinical Commissioning Group, we are supporting the practice to develop and implement an action plan so that they can make improvements quickly.

“We encourage patients to continue to support the practice while changes are made.”

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

• Introducing robust clinical governance processes and practice policies including business contingency plans, risk management, record keeping, identifying and acting on complaints, monitoring the quality of service provision and identifying and implement an ongoing programme of clinical audit.
• Taking action to address identified concerns with patient feedback regarding care and treatment.
• Taking action to address identified concerns with infection prevention and control.
• Ensure recruitment arrangements include all necessary employment checks for all staff.
• Carry out DBS checks for staff undertaking chaperone duties

Ends

For further information please contact John Scott, CQC Regional Engagement Manager, on 07789875809. For media enquiries, journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here.  For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61.