‘Inadequate’ Barnsbury Medical Practice put into special measures by CQC

Barnsbury Medical Practice, which operates out of Bingfield Primary Care Centre, has been put into special measures by the CQC. Picture: James Morris (Image: Archant)

Barnsbury Medical Practice, which operates out of Bingfield Primary Care Centre in Bingfield Street, was rated “inadequate” – the lowest on a rank of four – in an inspection report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

In its previous inspection report from April 2015, the practice was rated “good” – second on the rank.

After being put into special measures, the doctors now faces another inspection within the next six months. If improvements haven’t been made by then, the CQC will take enforcement action and stop the provider, Dr Tahir Haffiz, from operating it.

The practice, which has about 3,000 patients on its books, has been told to take urgent action in providing care treatment in a “safe way” – for example by sharing “significant events” with all staff. The practice has also been told its services need better monitoring to maintain quality.

The report, published last month, was particularly scathing of the effectiveness of services, saying patients had indicated there was “insufficient staff”. It also criticised the leadership team, saying “no effective action had been taken” by management to improve the practice in recent years.

The practice was also rated “inadequate” for its quality of care for six population groups, including older people, people with long-term conditions and vulnerable people.

However, it was praised for its caring services, with patients telling the inspector they are treated with “compassion, dignity and respect” and staff witnessed as treating people with “kindness”.

Islington Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which oversees the practice, said this week: “The CCG is taking this report and the issues raised by the CQC extremely seriously. As a CCG, improving the health and wellbeing of everyone in the borough is our top priority and we work to ensure that all services in the borough focus on providing the best health care for our local population.

“The CCG will be working closely with the CQC and NHS England to ensure that the quality of primary care provided is improved for all patients registered with this practice. This will involve regular liaison with the practice to provide assistance and to track the progress on remedying the problems highlighted in the CQC inspection report.”