West Bromwich GP removed from special measures following 'good' rating from CQC

The Care and Quality Commission (CQC) has upgraded the rating of the Primary Care Centre, on High Street, West Bromwich, to 'good' following an inspection held in May.

The health centre, also known as Dr Haque's Practice, run by Dr. N U Haque and Partners, was previously placed into 'special measures' in August 2023 when inspectors said that they were 'concerned' that patients on high-risk medicines or suffering from long-term conditions weren't monitored. 

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Inspectors also raised issues relating to safeguarding measures, registers, and problems with compliance with safety alerts raised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Now, the clinic has been removed from special measures, and instead rated 'good' by the CQC, with the healthcare commission saying that when they returned, 'it was clear that the service has made significant improvements'.

Andy Brand, CQC deputy director of operations in the Midlands, said: "When we returned to Primary Care Centre, it was clear that the service had used the findings from our previous inspection to make significant improvements, especially to the way people were involved in decisions about their care.

"Staff were well supported by leaders to deliver kind, compassionate, person-centred care, while ensuring they were also protected and kept safe. Staff responded to people’s needs in the moment and helped minimise any discomfort, concern or distress they were feeling. 

"People were provided with easy-to-understand information allowing them to give informed consent about care and treatment."

The GP delivers healthcare services to around 3,700 people in the West Bromwich area, with the CQC saying that 'huge improvements' were made to ensure safeguarding registers were maintained. 

The CQC also said that the group had worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain' safe systems of care, noting that since their last visit, leaders had formed partnerships with three other GPs in the area.

Talking about the improvements, Mr Brand said: "Huge improvements had also been made to ensure safeguarding registers were appropriately maintained, with a list of vulnerable people in place. Leaders had processes in place to follow up on children and young people who missed appointments, both at the practice and secondary care appointments. 

"They also held safeguarding meetings on a regular basis to review people at risk."