A MAJOR Bradford doctor’s surgery has been branded inadequate and has plunged into special measures following a visit from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Inspectors from the health watchdog visited Hillside Bridge Surgery, Butler Street West, early in July and rated the practice inadequate in all but one area.

Hillside Bridge has around 5,300 patients and, according to the CQC, its catchment area is classed as being within one of the most deprived areas in England.

The watchdog says that information published by Public Health England rates the level of deprivation within the practice population group as one, on a scale of one to ten, with level one representing the highest levels of deprivation and ten the lowest. The practice has now said it is taking the findings of the visit seriously and has apologised for any "worry or distress" caused.

A report from their visit said: “The practice did not have appropriate systems in place to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to

happen.

“When incidents did happen, we saw that significant events forms were incomplete and there was limited written evidence of dissemination to staff, learning from these incidents or changes in policies or procedures.

“Feedback from six of the eight patients we spoke with on the day of inspection emphasised concerns regarding the practice and specifically the unhelpful and negative attitude of some staff members.

“A number of patient comment cards also reflected these concerns; as well as highlighting issues relating to accessing appointments and contacting the practice. One patient told us they were frightened to ring the practice.

“The practice did not have reliable systems for the appropriate and safe handling of medicines.

“The practice could not provide evidence of DBS checks for five staff who had worked for the previous provider; this included a GP and a nurse.”

It added: “Not all staff at the practice had received up to date training. This included child and adult safeguarding training and infection prevention and control."

Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice, said: “The service will be kept under review and if needed could be escalated to urgent enforcement action.”

Dr Poonam Jha, GP and registered manager of Hillside Bridge Surgery, said “The health, care and welfare of everyone attending, or working at, the surgery are paramount.

“I am taking the Care Quality Commission’s findings seriously and working closely with NHS Bradford City Clinical Commissioning Group to make the improvements required. We are committed to providing GP services which are of the highest possible standards for our patients. I am sorry for any worry or distress that the contents of this report may cause to our patients.”