Millions of NHS patients are receiving sub-standard care at hundreds of failing GP surgeries, a damning report has revealed.
Inspectors found people are being put at risk of harm, treated in dirty premises and being given vaccines that have been stored in a way that may render them ineffective.
Alarmingly, practices have been allowed to remain open despite being rated ‘inadequate’ or ‘requires improvement’ by the care regulator.
An analysis of Care Quality Commission (CQC) records reveals 292 GP practices in England – more than one in 20 – are performing below the expected standard.
Patient groups last night expressed ‘dismay’ at the scale of the problem and called for failing GP surgeries to be shut down, adding everyone should have the right to access ‘high quality care’.
Medical negligence solicitors said the findings expose ‘alarming shortcomings’ and ‘serious lapses in patient safety’, which could have ‘life-altering consequences’.
The revelation comes just weeks after Wes Streeting pledged an extra £889million for practices in a bid to end industrial action, which has seen some family doctors slash their appointments by up to half.
The health secretary also vowed to cut the number of targets they have to meet, giving family doctors more control over how they run their business and deliver consultations.
The revelation comes just weeks after Wes Streeting pledged an extra £889million for practices in a bid to end industrial action, which has seen some family doctors slash their appointments by up to half
GP practices are assessed on five core metrics – safety, effectiveness, care, responsiveness and leadership
Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, which campaigns for elderly patients, said: ‘I am dismayed that so many GP practices are being assessed as inadequate or requiring improvement, particularly as patient safety is often cited as a reason for this classification.
‘If the CQC finds that a practice is endangering patient safety then under no circumstances should it be permitted to continue operating, until these weaknesses have been addressed.
‘A cease and desist order should be put in place and patients temporarily allocated to other surgeries.
‘It is disturbing that this does not appear to be happening and that practices are continuing to operate as they address the weaknesses.’
GP practices are assessed on five core metrics – safety, effectiveness, care, responsiveness and leadership.
These evaluations determine their overall rating, which can be ‘outstanding’, ‘good’, ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’.
Those rated good are ‘performing well and meeting expectations’, while those rated inadequate are deemed to be ‘performing badly’.
As of their most recent CQC inspections, 278 GP practices were rated outstanding, 5,193 good, 261 requires improvement and 31 inadequate.
As of their most recent CQC inspections, 278 GP practices were rated outstanding, 5,193 good, 261 requires improvement and 31 inadequate
It means there are now more failing than outstanding surgeries in England.
And – given the average practice has 10,172 patients on its list – it suggests 2.97million people are registered at a below-par provider.
Essex has six inadequate practices, which is more than anywhere else in the country. This is followed jointly by the West Midlands and London, which have four each.
Opinion polls show public confidence in GPs has fallen to record lows in recent years, with many people struggling to secure timely appointments.
Meanwhile, the latest NHS figures show GP partners, who own their practice and account for the majority of family doctors, now earn an average of £140,200 a year, despite only one in three working full-time.
The review of CQC inspection reports by medical negligence solicitors Patient Claim Line, exposes the extent of some of the failings.
Nermeen Salahuddin, a solicitor at Patient Claim Line, said: ‘Our analysis shows alarming shortcomings in the NHS, with GP practices being cited for serious lapses in patient safety and care.
‘GPs rated “inadequate” must take immediate and decisive action to ensure that patients across the country feel safe and properly cared for when they visit their doctors.’
The review of CQC inspection reports by medical negligence solicitors Patient Claim Line, exposes the extent of some of the failings
Dr Victoria Tzortziou-Brown, vice chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: ‘GPs and our teams are delivering millions more appointments every month than five years ago but with fewer fully qualified GPs. This is neither safe nor sustainable.
‘That almost 95 per cent of GP practices in England are currently rated good or outstanding, despite the intense workload and workforce pressures facing general practice, is testament to the hard work and dedication of GP teams to deliver safe care for patients.
‘However, where patient safety concerns have been raised, it is important that practices are not vilified, but supported to improve, in the best interests of patients.
‘Patient safety is paramount in general practice, and the College recognises that if implemented effectively and proportionately, inspections of GP practices can help to keep patients safe, and support practices that are struggling.
‘But following independent reviews which have raised serious issues around the CQC’s performance, the College has significant concerns about the CQC’s current inspection processes and has called for a pause in routine inspections until improvements are made, and an end to ‘one word’ ratings, in favour of alternatives that would provide greater nuance, support and transparency for patients and professionals.’
An NHS spokesperson said: ‘While this survey makes clear that over nine in 10 practices have been rated good or outstanding, where practices have been rated as requires improvement or inadequate, Integrated Care Boards will work closely with both the CQC and with practices to ensure support is in place, which may include considering if the issues raised require contractual action.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘We are committed to fixing the front door of the NHS and bringing back the family doctor.
‘Through the Budget, we are investing an extra £100 million to upgrade GP estates across England, making facilities fit to deliver effective, quality care as well as starting to hire 1,000 extra GPs and cutting red tape so they can focus on treating patients.
‘This will help get the NHS back on its feet and fit for the future, as set out in our Plan for Change.’
