CQC extends suspension of Tulasi Medical Centre, Dagenham

A Dagenham-based GP practice has had its suspension extended for a further six months after a re-inspection found it had not made sufficient improvements.

In June 2022, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) urgently suspended the registration of Tulasi Medical Centre for six months.

Inspectors believed, if this action hadn’t been taken, patients would be at risk of harm.

After further inspections in December 2022 and February 2023, a CQC spokesperson said it found “the proposed oversight of the care it intended to provide for people were still not adequate”.

Tulasi Medical Centre is based in Dagenham and is run by provider Dr Ravali Krishna Goriparthi, with branches in Dagenham and Barking.

The practice provides care for around 20,600 people.

The most recent inspection did not rate the surgery and was undertaken to check on the planned provision and oversight of care since the practice was first suspended.

A decision has now been made to extend the suspension of registration for another six months, CQC said.

The regulator is seeking assurance that enough work had been taken to make sure people receive safe care and treatment.

During the latest inspection, CQC said some areas could not be fully inspected because services are now being provided by a caretaker provider appointed by NHS North East London.

The surgery’s ‘inadequate’ rating still applies – the lowest CQC can give.

Jane Ray, CQC deputy director for London, said the proposed improvements would not ensure people could make appointments in a way that met their needs.

She said this was particularly apparent for those requiring home visits and there was no system to prioritise the care and treatment of those people with urgent needs.

Ms Ray added: “There were also other areas that we weren’t assured leaders at Tulasi were managing well.

“When people needed to be referred to specialist services, they didn’t have effective processes in place so that the referrals wouldn’t be rejected by the hospital.

“Inspectors were still receiving historical negative feedback from people regarding the care and treatment at the surgery and didn’t have assurance that there were plans in place to ensure people would be treated with kindness or compassion.

“Whilst there were some improvements in how the provider managed safeguarding, particularly for children and young people, we didn’t find processes to ensure safeguarding referrals would be completed consistently or when they were required.”

A spokesperson for NHS North East London said it is working closely with the practice to ensure improvements are being made “as quickly as possible”.

The spokesperson said: “An action plan is in place to address the issues raised and the practice has already made a number of changes towards improving safeguarding, medicines management, access, health and safety, referrals and leadership structure.

“Patient safety is our utmost priority, which is why we have appointed a caretaker provider to oversee the running of the practice so that patients can continue to receive the quality care they need while these improvements are being made.”

Tulasi Medical Centre will continue to be monitored, CQC said, and the suspension will not be lifted until it is assured people using the surgery “will receive safe, effective care and treatment”.

Ms Ray added: “In the meantime, CQC has assurance that people are receiving the care and treatment they deserve from a caretaker provider appointed by NHS North East London.”