A Hammersmith and Fulham practice has been rated Inadequate overall by the Care Quality Commission and placed in special measures.
The Westway Surgery in Shepherds Bush, was rated Inadequate for being safe, effective and well-led. It was rated Requires Improvement for being caring and responsive, following an inspection in January 2019.
The practice, which provides care to more than 3,400 patients, did not have clear systems and processes to keep people safe. It did not have appropriate systems in place for the safe management of medicines.
Inspectors found there was limited monitoring of the outcomes of care and treatment. The practice was unable to show that staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles.
Leaders could not show they had the capacity and skills to deliver high quality, sustainable care. Inspectors saw no evidence of systems and processes for learning, continuous improvement and innovation.
The surgery had limited systems in place to identify carers and provide support.
However, staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and patients made positive comments about the care and treatment they received. Patients could generally access care and treatment in a timely way, although appointment times were limited.
Areas where the practice must now make improvements are:
- Ensure that care and treatment are provided in a safe way.
- Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.
Head of Inspection for Primary Medical Services in London, Antony Hall, said: “We are placing The Westway Surgery in special measures, which will give people who use the service the reassurance that the care they get should improve.
“The practice will be inspected again within six months. If insufficient improvements have been made CQC may take enforcement action, which could lead to cancelling the provider’s registration.”