PATIENTS at Bracknell's Urgent Care Centre are being put at risk due to staff shortages and delays issuing prescription medicines a health watchdog has warned. 

The centre, based at Brants Bridge, does not have enough experienced staff to meet demand and ensure safe waiting times according to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), who conducted two unannounced inspections on August 17 and 24 this year after receiving tip-offs from whistleblowers. 

Inspectors from the CQC ordered the centre's management to make improvements but praised nursing staff for treating patients with compassion and dignity in an "environment that made this difficult".

In a summary report, chief inspector Professor Steve Field said: "The inspections were carried out because we received information of concern from whistleblowers and the local clinical commissioning group (CCG) in relation to patients being placed at risk. These concerns referred to insufficient staff or lack of experienced staff to deal with patient demand and meet safe waiting times.

"In addition there were concerns that prescribing of medicines was being delayed due to a lack of staff qualified to prescribe."

He added: "Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect. We also saw that staff treated patients with kindness and respect, and maintained confidentiality in an environment that made this difficult."

The centre was told to improve staff training, ensure staffing levels are maintained at all times and to always have a GP on duty during service hours. 

It was also told to improve communication after inspectors found staff were fearful of reporting incidents and concerns.

One Medicare Ltd, who run the centre, has admitted they underestimated how many patients would go to them for treatment, with 10 per cent more cases than had been anticipated since it opened in April 2014.

Dr Jim Gardner, a GP at the centre, said: "Over the last few months we have been working in partnership with the CCG and have implemented further improvements to the service.

"The Brants Bridge site has attracted over 10 per cent more cases for treatment than the original scope identified and this has required a thorough review of staffing levels and working practices.

"We will always look to develop and improve the service working with our patients and commissioners.

"Importantly, we would like to thank the team for their tireless dedication to their patients."

The centre is working to improve openness and communication with staff and will soon launch a Support and Advice Hub for patients. 

Dr Gardner added: "We would like to apologise for any concern that the Care Quality Commission publication may have caused and reassure our patients, commissioners and regulators that we are doing all we can to deliver a safe, effective and valuable service at Bracknell Urgent Care Centre."

The CQC are due to conduct a further focused inspection before deciding on a final rating for the centre.

The centre is open every day 8am to 8pm providing advice and treatment for minor injuries and illness, such as cuts, sprains, bruises and broken bones, as well as x-ray facilities.