North Shields GP health centre rated 'inadequate'

Spring Terrace Health Centre in North Shields will be re-inspected in six months

A doctors' surgery has been rated inadequate and put into "special measures" by a health watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission inspection found Spring Terrace Health Centre in North Shields was not adequately safe, well-led or responsive to needs.

Commission deputy chief inspector of general practice Sue McMillan said the surgery was unlikely "to resolve its challenges without external support".

The practice said there were no concerns over patient safety.

In a statement, its GP partners apologised for "any worry or distress" to patients.

"We are working with our partner NHS organisations to ensure that we are fully compliant and we expect to have met the CQC recommendations within six months," it said.

The inspection found patients were treated with dignity and respect but said it was difficult to get appointments.

There were no health and safety risk assessments in place and staff had not received fire safety training, inspectors found.

Appropriate checks on staff had not been undertaken prior to their employment, the report said.

The health centre would be inspected again in six months and, if improvements were not sufficient, the commission would "consider taking steps to cancel its registration", Ms McMillan said.