23.01.2015

Practices In Reading, Liverpool and Sale Criticised

Three GP surgeries in Reading, Liverpool and Sale have been placed into special measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after concerns were raised about patient safety.
 
It is the first time the CQC has had to carry out the action, after inspectors found serious failures at the practices. Problems included inadequate staffing levels, poor record-keeping and procedures not being followed regarding the storage of medicines.
 
The surgeries will need to make urgent improvements or risk being closed down altogether by the authority. All three was classified as offering patients an inadequate service.
 
However, the British Medical Association (BMA) has criticised the watchdog's "name and shame" approach, saying it could discourage GPs from working at these practices, thus hindering attempts to improve them.
 
"Such practices often work in very challenging situations and usually need help and support not condemnation or naming and shaming, which only makes matters worse," said Dr Richard Vautrey, Deputy Chair of the BMA's GPs Committee.
 
Of the 143 GP practices rated under the CQC's new guidelines since October, six have been judged outstanding, 112 good, 20 to require improvement and five judged inadequate.

If you or a loved one have received negligent medical care from your GP you could be entitled to claim compensation. Visit our GP Negligence Claims page for more information.

Expert Opinion

“It is extremely concerning that the failures found during the inspection of these GP surgeries were so serious that the unprecedented step of placing them into special measures was taken by the Care Quality Commission. Providing access to the best possible levels of care should be a top priority for all in the medical profession and people rightly expect to receive the highest standards of care from their local GP surgery. <br/> <br/>“We have represented a number of people who have suffered serious injuries and medical complications as a result of sub-standard care provided by GPs and therefore we welcome the move by the CQC to place these surgeries, which are putting the health and safety of their patients at risk, into special measures. <br/> <br/>“It is vital a thorough review of procedures is carried out at these surgeries following the findings of the latest CQC inspections and we hope that the decision to implement special measures and increase scrutiny of the surgery will lead to dramatic improvements. The role carried out by GPs is a difficult one and it is concerning the reports highlighted staffing issues and it is important GPs are provided with the necessary resources to meet the needs of their patients, as demand for local services have been increasing and adding more pressure to a difficult role. <br/> <br/>“Ultimately though, the top priority is ensuring patients are reassured that any failings will be corrected immediately and standards will be improved to the levels they have a right to expect.” Mandy Luckman - Partner