A GP practice with over 14,000 patients has been temporarily suspended by the CQC following concerns over patient safety.
The Staunton Group Practice in Haringey has been suspended for six months with the four GP partners ‘unable to see patients at the practice’ during this time.
An 11-practice partnership in nearby Enfield has had to step in to care for the patients.
With 14,658 patients registered at the practice, it is thought to be one of the biggest practices to be suspended by the CQC.
The most recent CQC inspection identified breaches to the Health and Social Care Act that raised ‘concerns over safety and governance at the practice’.
A statement on the practice website said: ‘Following the recent CQC visit we need to inform you the current partners are unable to see patients at the practice for the next six months.’
It added that the practice ‘will continue to provide full medical services and will be supported by Medicus Health Partners’.
Medicus Health Partners is a partnership of 11 GP practices in Enfield, which formed at the end of last year.
The CQC report from January said that the partners at The Staunton Group Practice ‘did not ensure there was a system in place to identify and support vulnerable children and adults and ensure safeguards were in place’.
It added: ‘There was not a robust process to ensure that clinicians were aware of relevant and current evidence-based guidance and standards.’
These issues meant the practice was in breach of regulations laid out in the Health and Social Care Act.
The CQC confirmed that action has been taken with the practice following a recent inspection, adding that any action was not taken lightly.
They added that the action was proportionate to the severity of what was found on inspection.
Londonwide LMCs said their GP support team, which helps practices navigate the sanctions placed on them by the CQC and improve their rating, is currently supporting the practice.
Dr Farah Jameel, BMA GP committee executive team member, said: ‘We will be watching the situation closely. It is vital that the CCG works closely with the LMC to ensure patient services are maintained and neighbouring practices are not destabilised.’
At the time of publication NHS Haringey CCG had not replied to requests for comment. The practice declined to comment.
This story was first published on our sister publication Pulse.
