GP surgery placed into 'special measures'

The Oldham Medical Services site. Picture courtesy of Google Street View

The manager of an Oldham GP surgery has vowed to turn things around after a report by the Care Quality Commission placed it into ‘special measures’.

Inspectors found Oldham Medical Services were ‘inadequate’ in a number of areas and ‘required improvement’ in many more during their visit.

They’ve published the report on the Care Quality Commission’s website, explaining all the issues they found with the practise including an inadequate infection control audit and employees not learning when incidents happened.

They also found more than 300 children had outstanding immunisations, but the partners hadn’t been informed by nursing or administrative staff.

In addition to those areas, the CQC have also told bosses at the surgery that they need to improve in a number of other areas as soon as possible.

The CQC report stated: "The provider must ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.

"The provider must ensure that any complaint received is investigated and any proportionate action is taken in response to any failure identified by the complaint or investigation.

"The provider must ensure there is an effective system for identifying, receiving, recording, handling and responding to complaints by patients and other persons in relation to the carrying on of the regulated activity.

"The provider must establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

"The provider must ensure persons employed in the provision of the regulated activity receive the appropriate support, training, professional development, supervision and appraisal necessary to enable them to carry out the duties.

"The provider must ensure recruitment procedures are established and operated effectively to ensure only fit and proper persons are employed.

"The provider must ensure specified information is available regarding each person employed."

Inspectors have confirmed they will return to Oldham Medical Services within six months to make sure the changes they have demanded are made and services are improved.

However, if improvements haven’t been made in any of the areas the Care Quality Commission says it “will take action in line with our enforcement procedures to begin the process of preventing the provider from operating the service. This will lead to cancelling their registration or to varying the terms of their registration within six months if they do not improve.”