CQC inspectors place Staffordshire GP practice into special measures

Published: 18 December 2015 Page last updated: 12 May 2022
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England’s Chief Inspector of General Practice has placed Dr Paul Unyolo (Talke Clinic) in Stoke-on-Trent, into special measures following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

A specialist team of inspectors rated the service, in High Street, Talke Pits, as Inadequate for being safe and well-led, as Requires Improvement for being effective and responsive, although it was rated Good for being caring. The practice has been given an overall rating of Inadequate.

Under CQC’s new programme of inspections led by Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice, all of England’s GP practices are being inspected and given a rating.

The practice was inspected in September 2015 by an inspection team led by a CQC lead inspector accompanied by a GP and an expert by experience. A full report of this inspection has been published on this website.

This inspection was carried out to check whether the practice was meeting regulations and whether sufficient improvements had been made since CQC’s last inspection in February 2015.

In February inspectors found breaches in regulations relating to the safe, effective and well-led delivery of the service and it was rated as Requires Improvement overall. CQC received an action plan detailing how the provider intended to make improvements in order to achieve compliance but, while inspectors found improvements had been made when they returned in September, further breaches were identified.

Dr Paul Unyolo (Talke Clinic) must now:

  • Put systems in place to ensure children and vulnerable adults are protected from harm.
  • Undertake Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for all staff or, where these are not undertaken, make sure a risk assessment is in place.
  • Ensure there are systems in place for assessing and monitoring risks and the quality of the service being provided.
  • Put systems in place to ensure all clinicians are kept up to date with national guidance and guidelines.
  • Take action to address concerns with regard to infection prevention and control practices.

Janet Williamson, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice, said:

“Our inspectors were concerned that on their return, although some improvements had been made, there were further concerns. They found that patients and staff could be at risk of harm because appropriate systems and processes were not in place.

“In particular we found Dr Paul Unyolo (Talke Clinic) Inadequate for safety and for being well led. This is why we are placing the practice into special measures, so it can get the support it needs to ensure improvements are made.

“It is important that everyone who is registered with the surgery can rely on getting the safe, high quality care which they are entitled to receive from their GP.

“After a period of six months we will inspect again to check whether sufficient improvements have been made. If we find that the practice remains inadequate, we will consider taking further action.”

Ends

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Find out more

Read our reports on Dr Paul Unyolo (Talke Clinic).

About the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

We make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve.

We monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and we publish what we find to help people choose care.