A failing autism service has closed after being rated ‘inadequate’ four a fourth time following an inspection by a watchdog. Heywood-based LANCuk provides assessment and treatment for adults and children with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
But it has been in special measures since October 2021 - largely due to concerns over its ability to safely prescribe, administer and store medicines, as well as poor record keeping. It has been rated 'inadequate' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) four times since July 2018 and 'requires improvement' twice.
The CQC also took urgent action last April to bar the provider from accepting new or repeat patients to its prescribing service without written permission. Officials most recently visited the service- which operates from Independence House, Adelaide Street - in November last year.
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But they found that - despite some slight improvement - it was still ‘inadequate’ and should remain in special measures. However, LANCuk has now closed its ‘pathway’ for Autism and ADHD Assessment. - citing the fact its current contract comes to an end in March 2023.
A message sent to patients reads: “Commissioners are currently working on arrangements for the provision of this service and will notify GPs in due course of the new provider. “Patients can access other diagnostic services via NHS Choice Rule and may do so whilst the pathway is closed. We are aware this may cause frustration to our patients, and our administrators will attempt to answer any queries you may have, although they may not be able to currently supply you with the answers at this moment in time.”
It adds that the service is ‘working hard to provide up to date information’ and ‘awaiting clarification from the NHS GM (previously CCG) as to the transfer of patients to an alternative provider’. A newly published report says that ‘insufficient improvements had been made’ since conditions were imposed on the provider in April 2021.
It reads: “The service had not made significant improvements to the oversight of the prescribing of medicines. The service still did not have robust systems and processes in place for managing prescriptions and monitoring patients prior to repeat prescribing.”
The document notes that, since the last inspection in March last year, the CQC had received ‘information of concern from 19 patients about the service’ - 14 of which related to the medicine prescribing process. Officials found that procedures could result in the service ‘continuing to prescribe for patients when it is not clinically appropriate to do so’.
“The procedures had not been updated following the last inspection and continued to include contracts that were not being provided,” the report adds. It also details an incident where a patient was prescribed the wrong dose of medicines - but there was no evidence of an investigation being completed or lessons being learned and shared.
Further criticisms included that patient records were not complete and contemporaneous, while staff files had gaps in work history and supervision.
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