Stamford doctors surgery in special measures after 'inadequate' rating
It could face closure unless major improvements are made in the next six months
Last updated 2nd Aug 2021
A Stamford doctor's surgery has been rated 'inadequate' and placed into special measures after a damning inspection by the regulator.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited on June 8 to look into the quality of the services being provided by Lakeside Healthcare at its two sites in Stamford.
Lakeside Healthcare was created in 2017 after the merger of St Mary’s Medical Centre, Sheepmarket Surgery and The Little Surgery.
Only St Mary's and Sheepmarket currently remain open.
The service has been rated inadequate overall, with the CQC finding the surgery was failing to provide care in a way that kept patients safe from avoidable harm.
Staff were generally judged to be compassionate and kind, but the experience of patients had been severely impacted by an inability to book appointments.
Problems had been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic, with many left unable to access care quickly.
The CQC found three breaches of regulations and have now told managers to make urgent improvements.
Managers have been told to install a new telephone system and ensure adequate staffing levels to allow calls to be answered quickly.
They've also been told to improve the information available on the practice website and hire additional managerial staff.
Lakeside now faces another inspection in six months and could be closed down unless significant improvements are made.
In response to the CQC inspection Lakeside has pledged to take 'swift action'. In a statement, it said:
“We are aware that patients have struggled to access appointments. During the pandemic, we, along with all GP surgeries nationally, are continuing to offer the majority of appointments via telephone or digital means, however we continue to see patients face to face at both Sheepmarket and St Mary’s practices if clinically appropriate.
"Although we have strict social distancing measures in place our doors are now open and we are safely ensuring patients can access the services they need.
“Resolving access issues for patients is a massive priority for us for the coming months and we have already taken action in this area.
“Many of the routine activities, such as medication reviews and annual reviews of long-term conditions were not able to be carried out due to Covid restrictions. Guidance advised that the focus should be on managing the impact of the pandemic and ensuring rapid roll out of vaccinations, so inevitably some of these routine activities were deferred.
“Our GPs, assisted by clinical pharmacists, have worked many hours of overtime to clear the backlog of medication reviews, which are due to be completed this month.
“We have also supplemented our team with additional specialist nurses allowing us to efficiently review patients with long term conditions including diabetes and asthma.”