Express & Star

West Bromwich GP surgery in special measures after failings found

A GP surgery which looks after nearly 6,000 patients has been placed in special measures.

Published
Clifton Medical Centre, in West Bromwich. Photo: Google Maps

Clifton Medical Centre, based in West Bromwich, received an overall inadequate rating following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

Inspectors highlighted problems which included:

  • Surgery staff did not have the skills, knowledge and experience for their roles

  • No evidence to confirm formal risk assessments had been completed

  • Structures, processes and systems for good governance remained ineffective

  • The practice did not have clear systems and processes to keep patients safe

The surgery was rated inadequate for its safety, effectiveness, responsiveness and leadership, while it was given a requires improvement rating for its care.

The report said: “We found, due to the lack of clinical and managerial leadership, the practice had been unable to embed a strategy to improve patient outcomes.”

Inspectors visited Clifton Medical Centre and the branch site Victoria Health Centre, in Smethwick, in December.

The surgery will be inspected again in six months.

A spokesman for NHS Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Maintaining patient safety remains our main priority, and we are supporting the practice to make the required improvements.”

Clifton Medical Centre declined to comment.