A lack of infection control policy and unchecked repeat prescriptions for addictive medicines have led to a Manchester GP being placed into special measures by the CQC, which could lead to its closure.
The CQC rated Dr Mokashi & Partners at Clayton Health Centre as inadequate after their inspectioln on January 16.
And CQC inspector Professor Steve Field warned that while the practice has six months to improve, if urgent action is needed in that time, it could be shut down sooner.
“Patients were at risk of harm because systems and processes were not consistently in place to keep them safe,” he wrote.
“The practice did not hold any records to show whether staff were immunised against infectious diseases, for example Hepatitis B.
“The practice had no infection control process, or any record of annual audits having taken place. There was also no record kept of any histology being sent for analysis.”
Histology is the analysis of removed tissue under a microscope to make a precise diagnosis, which enables doctors to exclude conditions such as cancer.
The clinic has 6,523 registered patients, and has four GP’s, all of whom are male.
The report found additional discrepancies with staffing.
“Staff were chaperones that had not received any formal training,” Professor Field said.
“Staff had not received training that included infection control, mental capacity awareness, fire procedures or equality and diversity.
“We saw evidence of significant events and emails, showing how in the summer months this affected the temperature range of the fridges, breaking the cold chain in three of the treatment rooms, which affected vaccines.
“We could hear conversations taking place in the treatment rooms, therefore confidentiality could be breached.”
CQC inspectors also found that the disabled toilet had a waste drainage problem.
Findings in the report stated that the practice is in a highly deprived area which supports a high turnaround of patients who are seeking asylum.
The health centre has been rated 2.5 out of 5 stars on the NHS website, with several reviews referencing the quality of receptionists and customer service, with reviewers stating that they were nervous to call and noted a lack of empathy.
We offered Dr Mokashi & Partners the right of reply to these findings and they refused to comment.
Image courtesy of Google Maps, with thanks
