Lincolnshire doctor's in special measures after inspection

A Lincolnshire doctor's surgery has been put in special measures after an inspection rated it "inadequate".

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said it investigated the Sidings Medical Practice in Boston "in response to concerns shared with CQC".

Inspectors said that "care was not always provided in a way that kept patients safe and mitigated the risk of avoidable harm".

The practice said it had made changes "to improve leadership and safety".

Greg Rielly from the CQC said there were concerns about leadership of the practice, with no registered manager and staff claiming a lack of support was "impacting on the level of care they were providing to people".

"Our inspectors found the practice didn't have effective processes in place to ensure enough emergency equipment was available in line with regulations," he said.

"The emergency grab bag was found with no stethoscope, pulse oximeter, thermometer, or adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). It was also unsealed, meaning there was a risk that equipment could be missing during an emergency which could put people at risk of harm.

"Additionally, we found blood tests for five people, indicating they may have an undiagnosed chronic kidney disease which hadn't been either identified or investigated."

Mr Rielly said that since the inspection the provider has told the CQC it had "made a number of improvements around maintenance issues and infection, prevention and control".

"They have also been working closely with the local integrated care board to ensure people are receiving safe care," he added.

Inspectors also found that cervical screening tests and child immunisations were below national targets.

The practice was rated good for providing a caring service, with staff praised for treating patients with "with kindness, respect, and compassion".

"Feedback from patients was positive about the way staff treated people", the inspector's report said.

"We will continue to monitor the practice closely to make sure further improvements are carried out urgently", Mr Rielly said.

"If we are not assured that people are receiving safe care, we won't hesitate to take further action." 

Mary Burney, the Sidings Medical Practice Improvement Director, said: "We appreciate that the CQC findings are disappointing."

"The safety of our patients is paramount and we are committed to providing the highest standard of care," she said.

"In response to the CQC assessment, which took place in October 2023, we have already put significant changes in place to improve leadership and safety.

"Looking ahead, we will continue to work closely with our Patient Participation Group and Integrated Care Board and other stakeholders.

"We are determined to make necessary changes to ensure excellent levels of care and treatment are provided in a safe way to our local community."

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