11.04.19
Lewisham surgery placed in special measures over ‘concerning’ risk to patients and ‘ineffective’ governance
The CQC has placed a Lewisham surgery in special measures after patients were being put at risk by the absence of clear systems and processes to keep patients safe and “ineffective” governance.
Dr Bhupinder Batra’s practice in London has dropped from a ‘good’ rating to ‘inadequate’ overall after inspectors found a number of “concerning” issues at the surgery.
The CQC’s report said the practice did not have a safe system in place for the management of medicines, nor did it have appropriate medicines and equipment for the management of medical emergencies.
The practice did not have clear systems and processes to keep patients safe and it also did not ensure that staff who required professional indemnity had this in place.
Head of inspection for Primary Medical Services in London, Anthony Hall, said: “Patients at Dr Bhupinder Batra’s practice deserve a good standard of care and it is concerning that the practice is now Inadequate overall, especially since it was previously rated Good.
“Patients registered with practices being placed into special measures should be aware that support is offered by NHS England and the Royal College of GPs to ensure that there are no immediate risks to patient safety whilst improvements are being made.”
The CQC has now ordered the practice to improve the care and treatment it provides in a safe way to patients, and to establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance.
Inspectors did find some good care at the practice, with patients able to access care and treatment quickly and staff dealing with patients with respect and involving them in decisions about their care.
But the practice was unable to show that its staff had the skills, knowledge and training to carry out their roles and it was also unable to show that it always obtained consent to care and treatment.
Inspectors said the surgery could not demonstrate that they had implemented actions to address the issues raised by the CQC in 2015, and also identified additional concerns that put patients at risk.
Image credit - Stephen Craven