Inspectors Rate Lincolnshire GP Surgery "Inadequate"
A GP surgery in Lincolnshire, the Richmond Medical Centre in North Hykeham, has been seriously criticised in a report by Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors and placed into special measures following a series of issues. The inspection, conducted on May 25 of this year, uncovered a range of issues, from lack of training and leadership to unsafe practices and mismanagement of equipment and medications.
Details of the Report
The inspectors declared the surgery to be "poorly led" and "unsafe". Staff members reportedly had not received sufficient training to handle equipment or medicines, which were found to be stored improperly in an easily accessible, unlocked room. The report also revealed instances of equipment going missing frequently, as the emergency trolleys were not sealed. Instructions for using emergency equipment were also found written in a foreign language.
"When we inspected Richmond Medical Centre, it was concerning that the care being provided wasn’t of the standard that people should be able to expect," Greg Rielly, the deputy director of operations in the Midlands for the CQC, stated.
Rielly also spoke of a significant "disconnect" between the staff and the management, which influenced the quality of care patients received at the centre.
Issues With Blood Testing
Specific concerns were raised about the administration of blood tests at the medical centre. There were instances of blood tests indicating abnormal conditions being ignored for days. Rielly also noted some patients on long-term medication had not been given the necessary annual blood tests to ascertain the safety of continued prescription.
When we raised this with the service, they assured us they had put a new process in place to review blood tests to ensure they were monitored effectively, Rielly remarked.
Steps Taken for Improvement
Despite heavy criticism, inspectors did commend the staff for treating patients "with kindness, respect and compassion". A spokesperson for the Richmond Medical Centre validated that major improvements had been implemented since the CQC's visit: staff have been retrained, and new measures for managing medication and blood tests are now in place.
Statement from Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board
The Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, in light of the report and subsequent improvements, extended their support, expressing their admiration for the team's response to their CCQ inspection and affirming their continued assistance if needed.