Walsall GP surgery told to improve by inspectors

Harden Surgery, based at Harden Health Centre on Harden Road in Walsall, has been rated as 'requires improvement' by the Care Quality Commission.

Among a host of failings inspectors from the CQC found emergency medicines were missing, putting patients' safety at risk

The practice's safety, effectiveness and leadership were all rated 'requires improvement'.

• Click here to read the full CQC report

A report prepared after inspectors visited the surgery on September 5 said: "Most risks to patients were assessed and well managed.

"However, a risk assessment had not taken place to mitigate the absence of some recommended emergency medicines in the event of a medical emergency and the practice did not have an effective process for monitoring the completion of fire safety checks and fire drills.

"The recording of a thorough analysis involving clinical incidents was limited. Staff we spoke with told us that clinical concerns had been raised with senior management following these incidents however staff were unaware of any actions taken to address the issues. We were not satisfied that the system in place was effective.

"Although clinical meetings were held there were no recording of discussions around sharing best practice.

"Staff we spoke with told us that there were a lack of communication and the practice had not adopted a specific approach to sharing knowledge gained from GP update days."

However the CQC inspection team, led by a lead inspector from the watchdog, did praise the surgery's responsiveness and level of caring, rating it 'good' in both of these areas.

Describing members of staff as 'courteous' and 'very helpful' to patients, the inspection team said: "All of the five patient Care Quality Commission comment cards we received were positive about the service experienced.

"Patients felt the practice offered an excellent service and staff were helpful, caring and treated them with dignity and respect."

They added about the surgery's responsiveness: "The practice offered extended opening for appointments on a Saturday morning 9am to 11.30am for patients who could not attend during normal weekday opening hours.

"There were also longer appointments available for patients with a learning disability.

"A total of 92 per cent of patients were satisfied with the practice's opening hours compared to the national average of 76 per cent. 95 per cent of patients said they could get through easily to the practice by phone compared to the national average of 73 per cent."

Phoenix Primary Care, which runs the surgery, was contacted but did not provide a comment before the Express & Star went to print.