GP surgeries across Nottinghamshire say they have been making improvements after being criticised by inspectors. Five practices are currently rated 'inadequate' or 'requires improvement' following their latest visits by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) - the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England.
A total of three GP surgeries were given an 'inadequate' rating, while a further two were deemed to require improvement. Across England as a whole, a total of 51 GPs surgeries were branded inadequate, with a further 251 deemed to require improvement on February 1.
Some of the underperforming Nottinghamshire practices told Nottinghamshire Live steps had already been made to address issues raised by the CQC. One pointed to a recent visit by inspectors that found progress had been made.
Here is a list of the worst-performing GP practices, according to the CQC, and what they are doing to make improvements.
Southglade Medical Practice
This practice, situated between Bulwell and Bestwood in north-west Nottingham, was given a rating of 'requires improvement' following an inspection in June last year. The CQC pointed out a number of faults, including ineffective management of patients’ medicine.
The watchdog said staff shortages had impacted patients' access to appointments. Operose, which runs the practice, said "significant progress" had been made since the inspection.
"To answer phones more quickly we have recruited extra reception staff, and rolled out our Dr. iQ app which offers patients an alternative way to contact the team," said a spokesperson. "To care for our patients, we continue to expand our clinical team, with an additional nurse and healthcare assistant joining us recently. We know there is more to do, but we are confident our improvement plan will work."
Unity Surgery
Unity Surgery in Mapperley was rated 'inadequate' and placed in special measures after a visit by the CQC in July last year. A report said whilst most patients did have effective care, some patients with long-term conditions had not been receiving up-to-date reviews and monitoring.
The ratio of patients to nurse was 5,209:1, well above the local average of 3,480:1. However, a follow-up visit by the CQC in November found "it was evident that improvements had been made".
Whilst the surgery remains 'inadequate' until the next full inspection, new practice manager Sintija MacQueen says she is confident the rating will improve. "We have applied all the learnings," she said.
“There was a change of management, I took over in September. Staff have worked really hard and there’s definitely been improvements to all the things that were pointed out as inadequate, they have been addressed."
The Health Care Complex
This Kirkby-in-Ashfield practice was also inspected in July last year, receiving a rating of 'requires improvement'. The CQC said it found the practice did not have clear systems and processes to keep patients safe and had gaps in recruitment processes.
It also identified three breaches of regulations. However, the surgery was rated as good in three categories; effectiveness, care and responsiveness. The Health Care Complex declined to comment.
Jubilee Park Medical Partnership
Carlton's Jubilee Park Medical Partnership, which also has a branch in Lowdham, was rated 'inadequate' in four out of five inspection areas following a visit by the CQC last October, meaning it was put into special measures. The watchdog said patients were not able to access care and treatment in a timely way and found there were gaps in the assessment system and poor oversight and maintenance of the premises.
At the time, Dr Ian Campbell, a partner at the surgery, admitted the service was not good enough but said they were "inextricably linked" to systemwide NHS pressures. Speaking of the "significant" progress since then, he said: "We've focused on the areas the CQC told us to work on, for example regular blood tests.
"We have reoriented our priorities and are very positive about the outcome of the next inspection. The sooner that comes the better."
Riverbank Medical Service
Following an inspection last August, Riverbank Medical Service was put in special measures and rated 'inadequate'. The service, situated in Warsop near Mansfield, did not always meet patients' needs, according to the CQC, which found gaps in systems to assess, monitor and manage risks to patient safety.
The watchdog also said needs were not assessed, and care and treatment was not delivered in line with current legislation. Some improvements were identified by a follow-up visit in September, however, issues persisted with medicine storage and some safeguarding processes. Riverbank Medical Service was approached for comment.
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