A BASILDON GP surgery were “people were not safe” has been slammed by inspectors and placed in special measures. 

Aegis Medical Centre, on Whitmore Way, has been rated “inadequate” - the lowest possible rating - by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), following an inspection on September 30.

In the report set to be published today, inspectors found the service was ineffective.

Now, the CQC has warned it will not hesitate to take further action if improvements are not made. 

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In the report, inspectors said: “The practice systems and processes to keep people safe were not effective. Safeguarding procedures for children and vulnerable adults and recruitment procedures required strengthening.

“Some patients did not receive comprehensive face-to-face assessments where these were required, and the results of blood tests were not being reviewed effectively. There was a lack of oversight into the structures and risk management systems.”

The service was previously rated “good”.

In addition to rating it “inadequate” overall, CQC also rated the service “inadequate” for being safe, effective, and well-led.

It rated it “requires improvement” for being caring and responsive to people’s needs.

Inspectors also found issues around medicines.

The report stated: “We found there was an ineffective system to ensure patients received appropriate medicines reviews,

“The practice did not have effective risk assessments in place for the lack of emergency medicines and there were ineffective systems for the safe management of medicines.”

The practice has not been placed in special measures, meaning it will be inspected again within six months.

Andy Brand, CQC head of inspection for primary medical services, said they will not hesitate to take further action if needed.

He said: “Standards of care at Aegis Medical Centre were below those people have a right to expect. We found some patients didn’t receive comprehensive face-to-face assessments where these were required, and blood test results weren’t reviewed effectively.

“We also found people’s complaints weren’t always used to improve the care provided, and there were many complaints about access to the service. We are keeping Aegis Medical Centre under close review.”