A Westminster based practice has been rated Inadequate overall by the Care Quality Commission and placed in special measures.
Soho Square General Practice in Frith Street, which looks after around 5,000 patients, was rated Inadequate for being safe and well-led. It was rated Requires Improvement for being effective, caring and responsive, following an inspection in May 2018. This practice is under new management and this was its first inspection by CQC under the new owners.
Inspectors found there was no innovation or service development and improvement was not a priority among staff and leaders.
There was no clinical oversight of the largely locum clinical staff.
Staff could not demonstrate effective cleaning of some clinical equipment.
Feedback from the patient participation group stated that the practice did not listen to patients views and continuity of care was poor due to the high use of locums.
The provider must make improvements as they are in breach of regulations are:
- Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.
- Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.
- Ensure there is leadership capacity and clinical oversight in the practice.
However, staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.
Professor Ursula Gallagher, CQC Deputy Chief Inspector of GP Practices, said:
“I am disappointed that that Soho Square General Practice is now rated Inadequate overall and we are putting it in special measures.
“We will continue to monitor the practice and will inspect again within six months. If insufficient improvements have been made we will take action in line with our enforcement procedures to begin the process of preventing the provider from operating the service.
“Special measures will give people who use the service the reassurance that the care they get should improve.”
I am disappointed that that Soho Square General Practice is now rated Inadequate overall and we are putting it in special measures
Professor Ursula Gallagher, CQC Deputy Chief Inspector of GP Practices