Dr Shabir Bhatti’s practice is rated Inadequate by CQC

Published: 3 April 2019 Page last updated: 4 April 2019

Dr Shabir Bhatti’s practice in south east London has again been rated as Inadequate overall by the Care Quality Commission.

The practice, also known as Bermondsey Spa Medical Centre, was rated Inadequate for being well-led and responsive. It was rated Requires Improvement for being safe, effective and caring, following the inspection in January 2019.

At this inspection CQC followed up on breaches of regulations identified in a comprehensive inspection in July 2018. Because of the concerns found at that inspection, CQC served the provider with a warning notice to suspend surgical procedures for a period of three months from 17 July 2018 to 12 October 2018.

The practice had made improvements since CQC’s inspection on 10 July 2018, and partly addressed the breaches found at previous. However, CQC has ongoing concerns about the sustainability of these improvements.

The practice must now establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care. In particular, the arrangements for identifying, recording and managing risks were not effective. The provider did not act on patient feedback from national surveys.

The practice should now:

  • Ensure training and appraisals are completed appropriately.
  • Encourage the uptake national screening programmes.
  • Explore ways improve cervical screening rates.
  • Take steps to support people with caring responsibilities.
  • Ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for infection prevention and control.

Head of Inspection for Primary Medical Services in London, Antony Hall, said: “Dr Shabir Bhatti’s practice will remain in special measures. The service will be kept under review and if needed could be escalated to further enforcement action.

“Patients registered with practices being placed into special measures should be aware that support is offered by NHS England and the Royal College of GPs to ensure that there are no immediate risks to patient safety whilst improvements are being made.”

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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.