Hastings GP surgery placed in special measures

Credit: This story was first seen on the Hastings Observer

A doctor’s surgery in Hastings has been placed in special measures following an inspection by the CQC, the Hastings Observer reports.

Cornwallis Surgery was visited in April 2017 and subsequently placed in special measures by England’s chief inspector of general practice. Inspectors have rated the service as inadequate for being safe, effective, well-led and responsive to people’s needs, and requires improvement for being caring.

Ruth Rankine, deputy chief inspector of general practice CQC’s south region, said: “Our inspectors had previously carried out an inspection at Cornwallis Surgery in November 2016 where the service was rated as requires improvement. This inspection was meant to be a focus on the work the practice had carried out since that first visit.

“It is worrying that despite the concerns and improvements identified at that first inspection, our team found a decline in the standards upon their return. Medicines were not managed safely putting patients at risk of receiving out-of-date medication. Patients struggled to book an appointment over the phone, with some deciding to attend the practice and wait to see a GP instead.

“While there was a leadership structure in place, they were unable to demonstrate capacity and capability to run the practice well and prioritise safe and compassionate care. Staff had not received adequate training and support to deliver safe care and recruitment checks were not completed for all staff.

“This put people using the service at risk of not receiving the high quality care, which everyone is entitled to receive from their GP practice. With this in mind we had no option but to place the practice into special measures. We will re-inspect the practice within six months to check whether sufficient improvements have been made. If we find that the service provided by this surgery remains inadequate, we will not hesitate to consider further enforcement action.”