Somerset GP surgery placed in special measures

The surgery serves around 15,300 patients in and around Burnham-on-Sea and Berrow

A GP surgery has been rated as inadequate and put into special measures by health inspectors.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found Burnham and Berrow Medical Centre was failing in 10 key areas, including patient safety.

The CQC will return within six months of the August inspection and could move towards closing the practice if improvements are not made.

NHS Somerset brought in new managers to run the practice after the CQC visit.

Staff not always 'kind'

The surgery was inspected between 28 July and 1 August - and the full report was released on Wednesday.

Among other findings, inspectors found that management of people with long-term conditions was not effective and staff did not always treat patients with kindness.

Inspectors also found the practice did not have effective systems for the safe use of medicines and people were not always able to access care quickly enough.

The report said if "insufficient improvements" are made by the time the surgery is re-inspected, the CQC "will take action in line with enforcement procedures to begin the process of preventing the provider from operating the service".

'Some improvements' already

Dr Bernie Marden, chief medical officer for NHS Somerset, said his organisation had been working "intensively" with the GP surgery's staff and the CQC to address the "significant problems".

He said some improvements had already been made but it would "take time to make all the changes needed".

"We can assure patients that their safety is of paramount importance and patients should continue to contact the practice for their healthcare need in the normal way," he said.

The practice serves around 15,300 patients in and around Burnham-on-Sea and Berrow.

A patient helpline has been set up by NHS Somerset: 0300 303 6409. The line is open 10am-6pm, Monday to Friday.

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