Dudley GP surgery with 2,500 patients rated 'inadequate'

Dudley Partnerships for Health LLP based at Quarry Road Surgery, on Quarry Road, was described as inadequate in its safety and management service, and has been told it requires improvement in its effectiveness, care and responding to people's needs.

Another inspection will now be lined up for six months time and if improvements are not sufficient it face closure.

The practice has 2,670 patients of various ages registered under a General Medical Services (GMS) contract with NHS England.

The inspection took place on February 10 lead by a Care Quality Commission inspector, GP specialist advisor, a CQC nurse advisor and a second inspector.

Key findings reported that incidents were managed effectively but not formally recorded, governance arrangements were not robust and the practice was not operating an effective system with regards to monitoring high risk medicines.

The report read: "The provider must ensure processes are robust for reporting and managing significant events, incidents and near misses, ensure all events are recorded.

"They must carry out clinical audits, including re-audits to ensure improvements have been identified and achieved and improve governance arrangements including systems for recording, assessing and mitigating risks across the practice. Ensure robust protocols are implemented with regards to monitoring high risk medicines and review of pathology results."

"It did state the practice had a system in place for reporting and recording significant events, but during inspection it was identified further incidents that were managed effectively but not formally recorded, therefore the practice was 'missing opportunities for learning'.

Arrangements were also in place to safeguard children and vulnerable adults from abuse that reflected relevant legislation and requirements, with staff demonstrating they understood their responsibilities and how to respond to a safeguarding concern.

But CQC received mixed feedback on identifying who the safeguarding lead was at the practice.

Inspectors observed a friendly atmosphere throughout the surgery, noting that members of staff were courteous and helpful to patients both attending at the reception desk and on the telephone and that people were treated with dignity and respect.

The surgery was found not to follow key protocols effectively and governance arrangement were not always robust.

The surgery is open between 8am and 6.30pm on Monday to Friday. They will now be kept under review, and if needed could be escalated to urgent enforcement action. Another inspection will be conducted within a further six months, and if there is not enough improvement, the CQC will look to close the practice.