A REPORT says a Bradford medical practice criticised over the safety of a new building extension has taken action to address concerns raised by the health watchdog.

Park Grange Medical Centre, in Woodhead Road, Lidget Green, was judged to be ‘inadequate’ overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following a visit last September.

In that inspection, the CQC found the practice had “failed to assess, monitor and mitigate serious risks relating to the health, safety and welfare of service users and others who used the premises”.

A report outlined a building extension was in use – despite being an “extreme” health and safety risk. Following the inspection, the practice was told it must not use the extension without prior written agreement of the CQC.

At the time, Alison Holbourn, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice for the North, said the surgery’s safety was “seriously compromised” by ongoing building work.

An announced, focused inspection was carried on March 7 at request of the practice – the purpose being to review actions it had taken in response to September’s inspection.

Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice, said: “During the September 2017 inspection an urgent notice of decision was issued by the Care Quality Commission under section 31 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

“This decision imposed a condition on the registration of the provider relating to the use of a newly-built extension at the location.”

The latest inspection found the practice had complied with the condition imposed by the CQC and the extension was not in use, that it had taken steps to ensure the safety of patients using the building and had produced detailed action plans – which had been acted upon – and had taken action required to address “serious concerns” identified in the last inspection.

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The report outlines: “As a result we will be issuing a Notice of Proposal to remove the urgent condition we applied to the provider’s registration to prevent them from using the recently-constructed extension to the premises.”

It says the completed extension was assessed as meeting the required building regulations and safety standards in October last year, with all legally required safety features completed.

A spokesperson for the practice said: “At its recent follow-up inspection, the Care Quality Commission recognised the progress we have made as a practice team and will be removing the urgent condition that has been in place since the last inspection. This means that our patients will soon be able to use the recently-built extension to the surgery, which includes a multi-faith prayer room and a new consultation and treatment room.

"We are continuing to work hard to address the issues raised in the original inspection report of September 2017.”