Tynemouth Medical Practice in Haringey, north London, has been rated Inadequate overall by the Care Quality Commission after previously being rated as Good in 2016.
The practice, which looks after more than 10,000 patients in the Tottenham area, was rated Inadequate in all categories CQC rates: for being safe; effective; caring; responsive; and well-led. It has been placed into special measures.
Patients complained about rude and uncaring staff. Patients said they experience great difficulty in contacting the practice by phone to make appointments.
The prescription box in reception contained 26 out of date prescriptions dating back to 2016, which had not been followed up or destroyed.
Inspectors found that none of the staff had undertaken the training necessary to be certain they had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
None of the staff files contained all of the recruitment information CQC would normally expect to find, including: completed application form or CV; proof of identity or DBS check details.
The majority of staff had not received up-to-date safeguarding training appropriate to their role.
The areas where the provider must now make improvements include:
- Ensuring that sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, competent, skilled and experienced people are available to meet the fundamental standards of care and treatment.
- Ensuring care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.
- Ensuring staff get the appropriate training necessary to do their jobs.
The areas where the practice should make improvements include:
- Reviewing and carry out patient surveys to find out what their concerns are.
- Consider installing a hearing loop to support patients with hearing problems.
Professor Ursula Gallagher, Deputy Chief Inspector, Primary Medical Services, said: “It is always especially concerning when a previously good practice deteriorates as we have found here. Clearly it is hoped that the practice can rapidly turn itself around and we are placing Tynemouth Medical Practice in special measures, so that they can access support that might assist them improve.
“I would like to reassure patients that the service will be kept under review and if needed could be escalated to urgent enforcement action. Where necessary, another inspection will be conducted within six months, and if there is not enough improvement we will move to close the service by adopting our proposal to remove this location or cancel the provider’s registration.”
You can read the inspection report in full on CQC’s website at www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-569259821
Ends
For media enquiries, contact Ray Cooling, Regional Engagement Manager (London), on 020 7448 9136 or call the press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours. Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here www.cqc.org.uk/media/our-media-office. (Please note: the duty press officer is unable to advise members of the public on health or social care matters).
For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61.