Health bosses in Bradford have hit back at fresh claims that a Bradford treatment centre is putting patients at risk of harm.

A report by the Healthcare Commission (now the Care Quality Commission), brought to light under the Freedom of Information Act, reveals consultants were refusing to carry out operations at Eccleshill Independent treatment Centre (ISTC), because of safety fears.

It also contains claims, refuted by the NHS, that the centre was not properly registered between 2005 and 2007 and so not properly insured.

However, the report, which has been made public by Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland, has been branded out of date by NHS Bradford and Airedale, who say the centre is well regulated and safe.

The centre, which is run by Circle, has been under the spotlight since the tragic death of 58-year-old Dr John Hubley in January 2007.

Dr Hubley was admitted to Eccleshill ISTC for a keyhole gall bladder operation but suffered massive blood loss when his portal vein was ruptured. At an inquest into his death the coroner labelled the centre “woefully inadequate”.

Despite a number of changes implemented since, Mr Mulholland said this report was evidence Eccleshill remained unsafe. He said: “Enough is enough. The contract to run the centre from next year is currently being tendered, with no public consultation. The process must now be halted and the whole use of Eccleshill by the NHS must now be properly scrutinised in a way it has so far never been.”

A spokesman for NHS Bradford and Airedale said: “A number of reviews of the centre have since taken place by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which demonstrate that it is a well regulated and safe centre for treatment.

“Patient safety is a top priority for the NHS and all its care providers. Eccleshill ISTC is, and always has been, fully licensed to provide the healthcare services we commission.

“The staff at Eccleshill ISTC work exceptionally hard to ensure a high quality service is provided to patients who attend for diagnosis and treatment.”