A Bermondsey doctor’s practice has been given the worst possible care rating by the regulators CQC, after it was found performing surgical procedures without ‘lawful’ consent.
Bermondsey Spa Medical Practice, on Old Jamaica Road, was slapped with the worst ‘Inadequate’ rating in all of the categories rated after an inspection in July.
The GP centre, led by Dr Shabir Bhatti, had not been seeking consent for minor medical procedures as required under the law.
Now it has been barred from carrying out any surgical procedures for three months (starting from 17 July 2018) and has been placed in special measures.
The practice did ‘not have clear systems’ to ensure that patients did not get infected from treatment or manage their stock of medicines properly.
Professor Ursula Gallagher, CQC Deputy Chief Inspector of GP Practices, said: “I am disappointed that Dr Shabir Bhatti’s practice is now rated Inadequate overall and we are putting it in special measures. It was previously rated Good.
“We will continue to monitor the practice and will inspect again within six months.
“If insufficient improvements have been made we will take action in line with our enforcement procedures to begin the process of preventing the provider from operating the service.
“Special measures will give people who use the service the reassurance that the care they get should improve.”
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Among the other failings from the GPs were poor governance and leadership which inspectors found was likely to increase risks when dealing with medical emergencies.
Patients also told inspectors that they were unable to access the care they needed when they need it and were not able to get through to the practice phone lines.
The medical centre has been ordered to provide care in a safe way and improve its governance or risk being in continued breach of care regulations.
A GP’s surgery placed into special measures will typically be reinspected after six months to ensure it is providing the care required under the law.
The News has contacted the practice for comment.
