Patients and staff were put at risk at a Norwich doctors’ surgery judged unsafe by inspectors, according to a new report.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) put Wensum Valley Medical Practice, which is spread across three city sites, into special measures following the visit.
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But Norwich’s health authority said a major programme of improvements had since been launched at the West Earlham Health Centre, Adelaide Street Health Centre and Bates Green Assessment and Treatment Centre.
The CQC found the 12,500-patient surgery, which is in the most deprived area of the city, was not effectively reporting and recording significant events, so learning was not shared with the practice team.
There was also no health and safety risk assessment completed to ensure that patients and staff were kept safe.
And the practice could not provide evidence that there was a fire risk assessment in place or fire drills had been carried out.
As well as being rated inadequate for safety, it was also rated the lowest rank for being well-led.
For effectiveness, caring and responsiveness, the surgery was told it required improvement.
The surgery partners, Dr Emmanuel Ighomereho, Dr Seyamak Abivardi, and Dr Salah Elbeshari, admitted there were issues which needed to be addressed.
They said: “Some of these came about because the practice’s administrative records were not complete and it could not provide the evidence that the inspectors wanted to see. Other issues, regarding safety policies, medication reviews and clinical oversight of incoming mail, have been immediately put right.”
But the CQC also highlighted the surgery’s outreach work, with other agencies, particularly in respect of children and older people.
Since the inspection Wensum Valley appointed a new practice manager, Jan Hardinge, who joins full time in a few weeks’ time but who has been helping lead the improvement programme.
Ms Hardinge said: “I believe we have three good surgeries in Wensum Valley with staff who are totally committed to making continuous improvements, beyond satisfying the important requirements of the CQC, to ensure our patients receive good healthcare.”