WARNING FOR GP SURGERY PLACED IN SPECIAL MEASURES:
Practice insists that issues are been addressed
A Stoke-on-trent GP surgery has been placed in special measures and warned that enforcement action will be taken by health watchdogs unless it improves.
The Care Quality Commission has rated Apsley Surgery, in Cobridge, as inadequate for its safety and leadership.
The CQC also found that ‘responsiveness and effectiveness’ required improvement. However, its level of care was deemed good at its last inspection.
Having reviewed the services offered at the surgery,dr Rosie Benneyworth, chief inspector of primary medical services and integrated care at the CQC, decided to place the surgery into special measures.
It comes after she identified a series of issues at the practice. But the surgery says that a number of those issues highlighted by the inspection have been resolved.
The CQC report stated: “We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Apsley Surgery on December 29, 2020, with an on-site inspection on January 18, 2021, in response to concerns raised with the Care Quality Commission.
“I am placing this service in special measures. Services placed in special measures will be inspected again within six months.
“If insufficient improvements have been made, such that there remains a rating of inadequate for any population group, key question or overall, we will take action in line with our enforcement procedures to begin the process of preventing the provider from operating the service.”
Among issues identified were staff not having tailored inductions, gaps in monitoring and managing medication, and a lack of reporting.
It also identified issues in promoting sustainable care, accurate information keeping, and the way staff learn from issues.
Marilyn Marathe, from Apsley Surgery, said: “The issues that were reported to the CQC have been noted, and the fundamental reason which has given rise to these issues has been addressed.
“There is work to be done to restore the faith in the primary care services provided by Apsley House, but I am confident that the next CQC report will demonstrate our achievement to allay concerns.”