Bracknell’s MP is ‘deeply concerned’ following the revelations that one of the borough’s GP surgeries has been put into special measures.
Sandhurst Group Practice (SGP) was given a rating of ‘inadequate’ by health watchdogs the Care Quality Commission (CQC) at a recent inspection, which James Sunderland MP said he was “shocked” to learn.
“Having fielded correspondence from worried constituents in recent months, not least about waiting times, poor service, delays in test results and availability of face-to-face GP appointments, I am deeply concerned by what now appears to have materialised,” he said in a statement on his website.
READ MORE: Tudor House, Bracknell, suspected chemical leak
The report, which was published on September 14, states that the practice “did not always provide care in a way that kept patients safe” and the leadership “could not demonstrate they had the capacity and skills to deliver high quality sustainable care”.
It found “three breaches of regulations”, resulting in the service being put into special measures to “give people who use the service the reassurance that the care they get should improve” and will be inspected again within six months.
A spokesperson for SGP said everyone at the practice is “committed” to making improvements for patients and will “continue to work” with primary care experts to improve performance.
“We want to reassure patients that immediate steps have been taken to tackle the safety concerns addressed in the report, in the areas of safeguarding, medicines management and staff training,” they added.
READ MORE: In the Dock: Latest results in Reading and Slough Magistrates' Court
Mr Sunderland expressed his “disappointment” that NHS Frimley Integrated Care System (ICS), which oversees SGP, had not informed or engaged with him prior to the publication of the report and its release “should not have come as a surprise” to either himself or Bracknell Forest Council.
The MP states that he has since requested an urgent meeting with the management team and will “raise the issue directly” with the Department of Health and Social Care.
A spokesperson for NHS Frimley said it is “supporting” SGP and that “external experts” are working with the practice to implement a recovery plan.
They continued: “Following on from the CQC report, we will ensure all concerns are acted on, in order for the practice to be able to provide a safe, high-quality primary care service to the people of Sandhurst.”
Mr Sunderland offered his “sincere apology” to those residents who got in touch with him recently regarding the surgery for the “inconvenience, frustration and anxiety” they have suffered.
“I would also like to recognise the valiant efforts undertaken by the medical and support staff at the Sandhurst Group in the face of chronic under-resourcing and poor management. It is now time to put this right,” he added.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel