A proactive intervention has been announced by a regulatory body to ensure the well-being of individuals accessing care at a medical facility in Kent. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has executed measures following renewed apprehensions regarding the quality of services provided at Dashwood Medical Centre.
This development follows a subsequent evaluation conducted in May by the CQC, subsequent to the centre’s previous inadequate rating. The ongoing concerns have prompted an injunction, rendering the centre ineligible to engage in regulated activities, thereby influencing its operational capabilities.
In response to these concerns, the medical centre has articulated plans to institute a fresh management team to oversee operations.
Neil Cox, Deputy Director of Operations in the southern region for CQC, voiced concerns for the patients relying on the facility. He emphasized that the surgery had yet to address the required enhancements since the prior inspection, remarking, “The practice lacked well-defined protocols and procedures to furnish effective treatment and ensure the safety of its clientele.”
The initial scrutiny carried out in November revealed a substantial backlog of laboratory findings and pending documentation for test results at the Ramsgate-based centre. While certain improvements were observed, persisting issues related to test result management due to IT complications remained unresolved.
Furthermore, the CQC’s assessment identified gaps in adhering to best practice guidelines for patient monitoring, and staff members were found to be deficient in essential training updates. While there had been improvements in cleanliness and hygiene standards, inadequacies in infection prevention and control measures were still detected.
In a statement from the medical centre, it was conveyed that an incoming management team would assume their roles at Dashwood Medical Centre in Ramsgate commencing August 30th. This new team will collaborate with existing personnel and augment the workforce with fresh additions. The principal objective of the revised management team is to address the procedural enhancements highlighted in the recent CQC appraisal.
Sukh Singh, Director of Primary Care Commissioning for NHS Kent and Medway, underscored the collaborative approach taken with Dashwood Medical Centre to ensure a seamless experience for patients, minimizing any potential disruptions.
