Walsall GP surgeries putting 'patients at risk'
Two GP practices in Walsall have been rated inadequate, with serious concerns raised over the safety of their 9,000 patients.
Ambar Medical Centre in Palfrey which has some 2,300 patients and New Invention Health Centre in Willenhall which has around 6,300 patients have both been criticised by inspectors.
Ambar, which is based at Milton House, was rated inadequate in every single category, including safety, effectiveness and leadership.
Inspectors criticised the practice, saying 'patients were at risk of harm', and that the care and treatment they received 'did not always reflect current evidence-based guidance'.
They added that the reporting of incidents, near misses and concerns was not regular practice and that it had no success measures as it was not comparing itself to other practices both locally and nationally.
The GP who used to run the practice, Dr Fasihuddin Ahmed, has since retired and the practice has been taken over by a Dr Hammad Lodhi.
David Williams, the director of commissioning for NHS England in the West Midlands, said: "Patients are at the heart of everything that NHS England does. We are aware of the outcome of the Care Quality Commission's recent inspection of Ambar Medical Centre in Walsall.
"Dr Ahmed, who was the GP at Ambar Medical Centre, has since retired and a new GP, Dr Lodhi, has taken over the practice.
"We are working with Walsall Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Lodhi and other members of staff at the practice to support any improvements."
New Invention Health Centre was rated good for its effectiveness, level of caring, responsiveness and its leadership. But failed the inspection after being rated inadequate for its safety.
Inspectors raised concerns that equipment was out of date, 'no evidence of cleaning schedules' were in place and that staff were being asked to act as chaperones but had had no formal training.
Mr Williams said: "Every patient who uses the NHS has the right to expect the best possible care and treatment.
"We are working with Walsall Clinical Commissioning Group and the practice to help it make the improvements that are needed.
"Patients should continue to contact the practice as usual if they need medical help."
Both surgeries were unavailable to comment.
