Sheffield doctors' surgeries branded 'inadequate' by Government health regulator

The Mathews Practice Belgrave, which runs GP surgeries on White Lane in Gleadless and Asline Road in Highfield, was placed into special measures by the Care Quality Commission.

The practice, which treats 9,578 patients, was given the lowest possible score on safety, responsiveness and management. Care and the practice's effectiveness were also told they must improve.

CQC officials carried out an unannounced inspection back in November 2016

A report said patients were 'at risk' because systems and processes were 'not implemented' to keep them safe. Inspectors noted the practice had not carried out infection prevention and control audit at any of the sites.

Inspectors raises concerns over a rain cover manhole in the flooring in a treatment room at White Lane site. Duct tape was used to cover some of the edges and others left exposed.

The safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults 'required a review'. The report said the lead GP for safeguarding did not have adequate access to these records on the patient system.

The majority of patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect. However, inspectors said not all felt cared for, supported and listened to.

Any service placed into special measures will be re-inspected in six months time. If sufficient improvement have not been made, the CQC can take further enforcement action.

Alison Holbourn, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice at CQC said: “We found that people registered with The Mathews Practice Belgrave are not getting the high quality care which everyone should expect to receive from their GP.

“It was worrying to see that comprehensive processes were not in place to keep patients safe, and some risks to patients were not well assessed nor well managed particularly around standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

“Data showed that the outcomes of patients registered with this practice were not as good as when compared to national averages. Although it was encouraging to see that audits had taken place, it was disappointing that there was little evidence these audits were being used to drive improvement in patient care.

“I do not believe that the practice is likely to resolve its challenges without external support; therefore we are placing the practice into special measures ensures that action will be taken to improve the quality of care for patients.”

Andrew Moore, practice manager at The Mathews Practice, said: “We can confirm there are no immediate concerns with regard to patient safety at the surgery and patients should visit the practice as normal.

"We would like to reassure our patients that we are committed to delivering a high standard of clinical care and we are working hard to immediately rectify the issues identified by the CQC.

“We are pleased that we received some positive feedback about many of the services we provide including our patient care, patient engagement events and childhood immunisation programmes.

“We apologise for any worry or distress this news may cause, and can confirm that we are committed to providing GP services which are of the highest possible standards for our patients.”