Patients ‘at risk’ as GP surgery ruled inadequate
DANIELLE ROPER
ADOCTOR at a GP surgery says action has been taken after it was placed in special measures and rated as ‘inadequate’ by inspectors.
Rishton and Great Harwood Surgery was found to be putting patients ‘at risk of harm’ after a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection.
Inspectors found it to be ‘inadequate’ in three out of five of the key assessment criteria – covering safety, effectiveness and leadership – and was said to ‘require improvement’ in how caring services were and how well they met people’s needs.
The inspector wrote: “Patients were at risk of harm because systems and processes were not in place to keep them safe.
“For example appropriate systems were not in place to monitor patients being prescribed with high risk medication.
“Appropriate action was not being taken to safeguard vulnerable children.
“The practice lacked a clear system for reporting incidents, near misses and concerns.”
It was noted, however, that the practice had improved provision of equipment and medication for emergency use and that patients were positive about appointment availability.
The inspector added: “Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and were involved in deci- sions about their care and treatment.”
The practice, on High Street, Rishton, was inspected in September and will now be kept under review before another inspection within six months.
Dr P Valluri, from the surgery, said: “We were naturally disappointed to find areas where the CQC have said that we need to improve.
“However, we want to stress to our patients that the CQC did report that they had seen staff treating patients with kindness and respect and this was confirmed by patients’ positive feedback to the CQC on the inspection day.
“We recognise that we have not performed well in certain areas but feel that it is not an accurate reflection of the hard work and commitment of the doctors and staff at the practice.
“Nevertheless, we do endeavour to become compliant with CQC requirements as a matter of urgency and have already implemented an action plan that addresses the areas highlighted as inadequate and requiring improvement.”
Dr Phil Huxley, chairman of NHS East Lancashire CCG, said: “We are working with the practice to understand the results and to ensure immediate action is taken to address the concerns raised.
“We are confident the practice will use this as an opportunity to learn, rectify issues and improve services for the people of Rishton and Great Harwood.”