Skegness medical practice deemed inadequate in CQC report

Beacon Medical Practice provides care to over 20,000 patients, but has received a damning inspection report by the Care Quality Commission.

Inspectors have places the service in special measures as a result.

The practice, which has three centres in Skegness, Ingoldmells and Chapel St Leonards, received scathing scores across the board.

All observations that took place in November 2019 came back as inadequate, including care for people of all age groups, poor mental health and vulnerable patients.

The practice had been granted an overall rating of good in their last inspection in July 2018.

In the CQC report, that was published on April 3, it was stated that the practice lies between the first decile of deprivation, where one is most deprived and ten is least.

The surgery at Chapel St Leonards was deemed to be in need of refurbishment, being described as “cramped” and “difficult to negotiate” around.

Cancer screening rates were below national and regional averages, and in many cases, patients discharged from hospital were not followed up on by the practice unless there was a specific request in the hospital discharge note.

Non-clinical staff did not receive sepsis training, using instead an emergency button if they were in the presence of someone who had collapsed.

It was also rated as inadequate for a lack of clear systems to keep patients safe, from a lack of clear leadership to poor safety management.

Recollections of missing medical records were made, but with no efforts to resolve the issue.

There was even a mention of seven patients being in the receipt of lithium with no care directed towards them for it.

Dr Rosie Bennyworth, the chief inspector of primary medical services and integrated care, conducted the report and put the centre in special measures.

“I am placing this service in special measures. Services placed in special measures will be inspected again within six months.

“If insufficient improvements have been made such that there remains a rating of inadequate for any population group, key question or overall, we will take action in line with our enforcement procedures to begin the process of preventing the provider from operating the service.

“This will lead to cancelling their registration or to varying the terms of their registration within six months if they do not improve.”

Lincolnshire Reporter has attempted to reach out to Beacon Medical Practice for a reply, but are yet to receive a response.

Read the full report here.