The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has taken urgent enforcement action at Dr Niranjan’s practice in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Inspectors visited Dr Niranjan’s Practice, also known as the Victoria Medical Centre in Barking in September and October. Immediately after the inspection, CQC took urgent action to suspend the registration of the provider.
Barking and Dagenham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have agreed to a new provider to take over the running of the surgery.
The practice was rated Inadequate for being safe, well-led, effective, caring and responsive.
CQC’s deputy chief inspector of primary medical services, Vicki Wells, said:
“After inspecting Dr Niranjan’s practice we have taken enforcement action to reduce risk and ensure the safety of patients.
“Barking and Dagenham CCG have a new provider who has taken over the running of the surgery. Patients at Victoria Medical Centre have a right to access consistent, high quality care.”
Inspectors found that:
There were significant divisions within the leadership team that prevented safe, high quality sustainable care that could put patients at risk of harm.
Inspectors found national clinical guidance was not being followed, patients’ treatment was not regularly reviewed and updated, also clinical staff had failed to follow up risks to patients.
The practice was not sufficiently equipped to deal with medical emergencies, as there were gaps in staff training. There was missing medical equipment for use in an emergency and emergency medicines and medical equipment were not stored appropriately, or immediately accessible.
Inspectors found gaps in infection, prevention and control procedures including the arrangements for Covid-19 prevention. No information relating to Covid-19 was displayed around the practice waiting areas.
There were inadequate governance arrangements in relation to safeguarding, recruitment checks and induction, monitoring of professional registration and appraisals.
Staff did not demonstrate they had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles and make important decisions about patient care. Inspectors found they undertook clinical tasks that they were not qualified or trained to do.
You can read the report in full when it is published on CQC’s website at: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-528613695
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