Failings found at Walsall medical practice
A medical practice which caters for around 2,000 patients has been ordered to improve by a health watchdog after failings were uncovered.
Khan Medical Practice, which is based at the Pinfold Health Centre in Field Road, Bloxwich, was found to have a string of weaknesses in providing a safe, caring and well-led service by the Care Quality Commission.
Among the issues, inspectors said systems and processes to manage risks to patients' safety were 'not in place or sufficiently robust'.
According to inspectors, emergency medication and equipment was available but there were no monitoring systems in place to demonstrate this.
The health watchdog said there were also no monitoring systems in place to ensure equipment was in good working order and emergency medication was within its use by date.
The report added: "Records seen did not demonstrate that cleaning of equipment in one treatment room was completed on a daily basis and vaccination fridge temperature records were not up to date."
It said that systems for reporting and checking safety alerts were not robust and although staff were aware of their responsibilities to raise concerns, and knew how to report incidents and near misses, they were not aware who held the lead role for safety alerts or incident reporting.
The medical practice was told to ensure recruitment processes were robust and that infection prevention and control procedures are adhered to.
The report added: "Importantly, the provider must implement effective systems to ensure patients and others are protected against the risks of receiving inappropriate or unsafe care or treatment.
"This should include the management of emergency situations, the premises, equipment, staffing and recruitment."
Despite failings in three out of five areas inspected, the medical practice was rated 'good' for providing an effective service and being responsive to people's needs.
It was also commended for ensuring patients were offered an immediate or same day appointment for urgent cases and patients recognised as high risk.
The report said the practice provides primary medical services to approximately 2,000 patients in the local community.
Staff who work from the surgery include a lead GP, locum GP, a practice manager, practice nurse and four admin staff.
It is also a teaching practice and teaches medical students from Birmingham University.
The Khan Medical Practice declined to comment.
