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‘Inadequate’ GP surgery called out over staffing and training concerns

‘Inadequate’ GP surgery called out over staffing and training concerns
Credit: Google Maps

A GP surgery in Hampshire has been rated ‘inadequate’ by the healthcare watchdog after inspectors grew concerned about staffing gaps and a lack of safeguarding training among nurses.

In a report published earlier this month, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said that Bury Road Surgery in Gosport ‘had not ensured there were always sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, competent, skilled and experienced staff’.

The CQC had visited the surgery in February after concerns about staffing levels and patient care emerged.

Following the inspection, the watchdog rated the service overall as ‘inadequate’ and also gave three out of its five core inspection areas the same rating.

It was rated ‘inadequate’ for being safe, effective and well-led, and as ‘requires improvement’ for being responsive. For being caring it was rated as ‘good’. At its previous inspection last autumn, the service was rated as ‘required improvement’ overall.

At the time of inspection, the CQC said there had been ‘various staff resignations and staffing challenges’. It is understood this this was linked to the lead GP’s announcement that he had recently retired and that the surgery would therefore close at the end of March.

‘There had been differing messages and uncertainty over the future of the practice,’ said the CQC.

‘After the site visit, we learnt the commissioners had agreed an extension to the contract until 30 June 2023.’

Within its report, inspectors said there were ‘gaps in rotas for staff, including GPs, administration and reception staff’.

In addition, it said: ‘Not all nurses had demonstrated they had completed their required training, for example in safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.’

Failure to investigate complaints fully and in a timely way was also highlighted by the CQC as a cause for concern.

There were also ‘ineffective systems or processes’ to evaluate and improve the quality and safety of the services, added the healthcare watchdog.

A statement from Bury Road Surgery said following the CQC report, the surgery was ‘now well staffed’ and that ‘all nurses are trained to the required safeguarding level’.

The surgery was also ‘liaising with commissioners and practice management’ to meet action requirements outlined by CQC, it said.

 

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