A MEDICAL practice has been been labelled ‘inadequate’ and placed into special measures after a health watchdog found ‘patients were at risk of harm’.

Rishton and Great Harwood Surgery was inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on September 7 this year.

Managers at the practice in High Street, Rishton said they were disappointed with the findings and feel that it does not reflect the hard work they put in.

The CQC report said the surgery delivers primary medical services to around 1,177 patients.

CQC chief inspector of general practice, Professor Steve Field, said: “Patients were at risk of harm because systems and processes were not in place to keep them safe.

“We found that appropriate action was not being taken to safeguard vulnerable children.

“The practice lacked leadership and had limited formal governance arrangements.”

The surgery was rated as ‘inadequate’ for its safety, effectiveness and the way it is led, while told it ‘requires improvement’ in the areas of care and response.

It was previously inspected in September 2015, and inspectors found it required improvement.

A warning notice was then served against the provider in October 2015 as it was failing to meet the required standards relating to the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Alison Holbourn, deputy chief inspector of general practice at the CQC, said: “It was disappointing to see the lack of improvement at this practice despite the previous inspection report being very clear about what action we expected them to take.

“We found patients were at risk of harm because systems and processes were not good enough to keep them safe.”

The surgery offers services from both a main surgery in Rishton as well as a branch in Great Harwood Health Centre.

Dr Parthasarathy Valluri, a GP at the surgery, said: “We were naturally disappointed to find areas where the CQC have said that we need to improve.

“We recognise that we have not performed well in certain areas but feel that it is not an accurate reflection of the hard work and commitment of the doctors and staff at the practice.

“Nevertheless, we do endeavour to become compliant with CQC requirements as a matter of urgency and have already implemented an action plan that addresses the areas highlighted as inadequate and requiring improvement.”

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