Staffordshire GP practices rated Inadequate and placed into special measures by the Care Quality Commission

Two Tamworth GP surgeries run by the same practice have been rated as Inadequate following a CQC inspection and placed in to special measures.

Wilnecote Surgery and Dosthill Surgery, run by the Wilnecote and Dosthill Surgeries, were both inspected on 28 September when inspectors found both were inadequate in terms of safety, whether the services were effective and whether they were well led. Both were also rated as Inadequate overall as a result of the inspections.

While the surgeries were both rated as Good for whether the service provided at both sites was caring and responsive, there were a number of failings and areas where improvements were needed. Inspectors found the provider must take action in the following areas:

• Ensure staff have appropriate and current policies and guidance readily available, in order to carry out their roles in a safe and effective manner.
• Ensure there are robust systems in place to review and monitor patients who may be at risk or vulnerable.
• Take action to ensure patients on disease modifying medicines are monitored and managed by staff qualified and competent to do so.
• Take action to ensure all blood results are reviewed by suitably qualified, skilled and competent staff member.
• Take action to ensure its recruitment arrangements are in line with Schedule 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 and that the necessary employment checks are in place for all staff.
• Implement systems to make sure all staff are appropriately registered with the appropriate professional bodies.
• Review systems for assessing and monitoring the quality of the service provided and take steps to ensure risks are managed appropriately.
• Put systems in place so that clinicians are kept up to date with national guidance and guidelines.
• Ensure staff training is effectively recorded and monitored.

CQC is working closely with NHS South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsula Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure improvements are made at the practice.

Janet Williamson, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice and Dentistry in CQC’s Central region said:

“It is important that the people who are registered with Wilnecote Surgery and Dosthill Surgery can rely on getting the high quality care which everyone is entitled to receive from their GP.

“Although the patients we met told us they were treated with dignity and respect, we also found that care and treatment was not always delivered in line with best practice.

“We found significant areas of concern including, a lack of leadership and governance relating to the overall management of the service and a lack of clarity regarding the responsibilities of the partners, which is why we are placing the practice into special measures.

“I am hopeful the practice will take the necessary action to ensure its services improve. If, when our inspectors return, they find improvements have not been made we will consider taking further action.”

Full reports of each inspection can be found on the website here and here.

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