A GP practice has been placed on special measures after receiving the worst possible rating by the official government inspector.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated Dr Aman Raja of Parklane Medical and Surgical Services in Haringey as “inadequate” following an inspection in October 2015.
This means that the practice must now make necessary improvements or possibly face closure.
The CQC said Dr Raja provides medical services to around 900 patients at his Green Lanes surgery, including to children, and those with long standing health conditions.
CQC inspectors found that the practice had a limited range of emergency medicines available which would put some patients at risk.
Inspectors saw poor infection prevention and control, with a lack of annual audits, equipment and cleaning schedules.
They said there was little evidence of appropriate action taken to improve safety, and there was no consistent recording of treatments or incidents. Some staff members did not recognise the types of issues that may constitute concerns, incidents or near misses.
At the time of the inspection, the inspectors were told that Dr Raja would shortly be taking a leave of absence for more than 28 days, but there were no arrangements in place to provide adequate cover.
However, patients did tell inspectors that felt staff treated them with compassion, dignity and respect.
Ursula Gallagher, deputy chief inspector of general practice for the CQC, said: "When we are faced with a provider that is experiencing difficulties in providing adequate care for patients, our first instinct is to work with them to ensure that patient care improves.
“We are confident that Dr Aman Raja will take any necessary action to address the concerns we identified during our most recent inspection.
“In particular, the provider must ensure that a wide range of emergency medicines are available, that significant events are consistently recorded and discussed to share learning, and that appropriate staffing arrangements are put in place in order to reduce risks and improve patient safety.
“We will re-inspect within six months to check whether sufficient improvements have been made. If sufficient improvements have not been made and there remains a rating of inadequate for any key question or overall, we will take further action which may include closure.”
Under CQC’s programme of inspections, all primary medical services in England are being given a rating according to whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.
Parklane Medical and Surgical Services have been contacted for comment.
