Patients found to be at risk of harm at Birmingham doctors’ surgery rated inadequate

Concerns were raised over the safeguarding of patients and the training of staff working at the surgery
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A Birmingham doctors’ surgery where patients were found to be at risk of harm has been rated inadequate.

Bordesley Green Surgery in Birmingham was given the lowest rating by the Care Quality Commission after weaknesses were found in their systems for keeping patients safe and protected from avoidable harm.

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The practice delivers care to a patient population of about 3,700 people. It has now been placed in special measures until improvements are made.

The news comes following a revelation last month that more than half of residential homes reported on by inspectors in 2022 were rated either inadequate or requiring improvement – up from less than a third in 2019.

In a report published last week, the CQC raised concerns over the safeguarding of patients and the training of staff working at the surgery. They also found no evidence of clinical meetings or similar in which risks, performance and learning could be shared or discussed.

The CQC said: “We found a lack of clear systems and processes for managing and following up safeguarding concerns in a timely way. The practice held two monthly multi-disciplinary team meetings and health visitors were invited to these meetings. However, we noticed from the last three meeting minutes that although a standing agenda item, no safeguarding discussions took place.

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“Training records showed that all staff had completed and were up to date with safeguarding children and adults to an appropriate level for their role. However, the records showed that much of the training was completed after the announcement of the CQC inspection or monitoring call.

“There were weaknesses in some of the systems and processes for keeping patients safe and protected from avoidable harm. This included arrangements for safeguarding patients, documentation standards of clinical records, monitoring of staff training and systems for learning from all incidents.”

The service was rated inadequate for three out of the five markers of performance – safety, effectiveness and leadership. In regards to the care patients received, the CQC said Bordersley Green was able to demonstrate a good level of care.

Bordesley Green SurgeryBordesley Green Surgery
Bordesley Green Surgery

The CQC continued: “Patients had a named GP who supported them in whatever setting they lived. The practice was responsive to the needs of older patients and offered home visits and urgent appointments for those with enhanced needs and complex medical issues.

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“End-of-life care was delivered in a coordinated way which took into account the needs of patients whose circumstances may make them vulnerable. Patients with poor mental health, including dementia, were referred to appropriate services.”

This is the first time the service has been reviewed since it came under new management. Previously it was rated good in 2019.

Bordersley Green surgery declined to comment.

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