CQC rates Rainham GP practice ‘inadequate’

A GP practice in Rainham has been rated ‘inadequate’ overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Spring Farm Surgery has been rated ‘inadequate’ by the CQC for being safe, caring and well-led. It was rated ‘requires improvement’ for being effective and responsive during an inspection in May 2017.

CQC issued an urgent suspension of the provider’s registration for a period of six months to enable the provider to take action to improve while removing patients from the risk of harm.

A caretaker practice has been identified by NHS England to provide care and treatment to patients at the practice, which is located in Upminster Road North in Havering, during this period.

Inspectors found was no evidence of learning and communication with staff.

The practice had failed to review its ability to respond effectively in the event of an emergency or mitigate any risks associated with the absence of oxygen, adequate supplies of emergency medicine and a defibrillator.

The practice failed to mitigate the risks associated with fire. There was no testing of fire alarms or drills. Electrical safety checks had not been carried out on portable equipment.

Staff undertaking chaperone duties had not been trained, and the practice could not demonstrate that all staff had received mandatory training such as fire safety, basic life support, infection control and information governance. Appropriate recruitment checks had not always been undertaken prior to employment, and the practice did not have a patient participation group.

Actions the practice must now take include: reviewing the system for reporting, recording and sharing learning from significant events; ensuring sufficient quantities of equipment or medicines to ensure the safety of patients and meet they needs; ensuring persons employed for the purposes of carrying on a regulated activity are of good character including by carrying out appropriate pre-employment checks for all staff; and ensuring learning from complaints is discussed, analysed and shared for the purposes of evaluating and improving the practice.

Ursula Gallagher, CQC deputy chief inspector of GP practices, said: “On 23 May 2017 we took urgent enforcement action to suspend the providers of Spring Farm Surgery from providing primary medical services. We will inspect the practice again prior to the end of the six month suspension. A caretaker practice has been put in place by NHS England to provide primary medical services to patients during this period.

“It is always disappointing when we find ourselves in a position of having to take urgent action. This is particularly the case when patients essentially believe the care they have been receiving is safe and effective. By suspending the provider’s registration we are giving them the opportunity to improve the service and in time have their registration reinstated.”