A MEDICAL practice branded Inadequate and placed in special measures by the Care Quality Commission has (CQC) has turned its fortunes around.

Following an inspection in December 2018 Farrow Medical Centre, on Otley Road, was given the lowest rating in a damning report.

It was placed in special measures and three warning notices were issued by the health watchdog over breaches of regulation.

The report from that inspection documented a catalogue of concerns.

“The provider had failed to assess the risk of the prevention, detection, and control of the spread of infections," it said.

“We viewed out of date equipment and dressings; the infection prevention and control audit which had been undertaken was limited in scope and incomplete. Cleaning schedules were not in place for the environment or clinical equipment.”

It also said the storage of vaccines at the practice did not meet the required standards and the provider had not completed a documented health and safety premises/security risk assessment. A fire risk assessment was also not in place.

A number of other issues were also highlighted including staff acting as chaperones without training, no records to support regular checking of oxygen and the defibrillator, gaps in the recruitment systems and concerns the practice could not show staff had completed necessary training to the recommended levels in areas like infection prevention and control, fire training as well as child and adult safeguarding.

The practice was inspected again last August and was rated Requires Improvement overall, but inadequate for providing well-led services, and remained in special measures.

But following a visit in February this year, the practice was rated Good overall - and taken out of special measures.

It is rated Good in all areas aside from the key inspection question 'Are services effective?', for which it is rated Requires Improvement. It is also rated as Requires Improvement for two population groups - working age people and families, children and young people.

The report says: "At this inspection the provider had further reviewed, improved and embedded effective systems and processes to support the good management of the practice.

"We found that a further review of significant events and complaints would enhance systems and learning and ensure that patients were kept safe at each contact. The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm. A comprehensive, colour coded matrix was in place for all operational health and safety checks. This computer matrix indicated when checks were due and included fire safety checks, infection prevention and control and all other necessary assessments required to ensure the smooth running of a GP practice."

It adds: "On the day of inspection, we saw that locums’ checks, revalidation dates, indemnity insurance, disclosure and barring checks and the staff training matrix were all closely monitored and up to date."

Inspectors said patients felt listened to and could access care and treatment in a "timely way, seven days per week".