SPECIALIST services run through a federation of GP practices in North Kirklees have been placed into special measures.

Curo Health Limited, which is made up of 27 general practices, including ones in Birstall, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike and Liversedge, was rated inadequate overall by regulator the Care Quality Commission this week.

It follows a focussed inspection in May, where inspectors looked at whether the organisation's extended access services and a microsuction ear wax service were safe, effective and well-led. Previously Curo Health was deemed to require improvement in 2019.

They also visited the three sites, including Liversedge Health Centre, offering an extended hours service, and reviewed the microsuction service offered at two locations.

The CQC report says that Curo had not addressed the findings from the previous inspections, adding: "We continue to have concerns in relation to leadership, governance, the management of risk and performance, and continuous improvement and learning to drive patient safety.

"In particular there were gaps in systems and processes in relation to safeguarding, recruitment, premises and equipment oversight, incidents, patient safety alerts, staff induction, training and appraisals. There was limited evidence of quality improvement, including clinical audit."

The report did note, however, that patient feedback had been positive around access and care provided, and that a staff survey showed positive feedback too.

It added that Curo Health was up front about the challenges of the past year, saying: "The service had stepped-up during the pandemic to provide temporary primary care Covid-19 assessment sites to provide core GP services for Covid-19 diagnosed or suspected patients. "In addition, the provider had collaborated to support Primary Care Networks and GP practices vaccinate unregistered patients and health and care staff."

Medical director Dr Adnan Jabbar and managing director Clare Townend, said that the federation accepted the outcome of the inspection and were working hard to address the issues.

"We have had a challenging time since the start of the pandemic but have supported patients with the North Kirklees Covid Assessment Centre services and continued Extended Access to primary care services.

"Since the inspection we have formulated an action plan and already made significant changes to improve our processes, and address the staffing and support needed for these improvements. We are working closely with our CCG colleagues around this.

"The CQC report does highlight that patients are having a good experience and this is something we want to continue. We want to reassure all our patients that they can continue to access our services in the same way. We will continue to support the local population with access to GPs and other primary care professionals in the evenings and at weekends, for both routine and more urgent healthcare needs.

"We look forward to welcoming the CQC back to assess the changes we have put in place."

As Curo Health has been placed in special measures, it will be inspected again within six months.