A GP surgery in Kilburn has been placed in special measures by a health watchdog after inspectors deemed patients to be at risk of harm.

A damning report published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) today, shows the action has been taken against the Clarence Medical Centre in Clarence Road, after it was rated as inadequate following an inspection in September.

The 18-page dossier claims the surgery, which is run by Dr Mohammed Fazle Hussain, provided an inadequate service to patients from all six population groups it serves:

• Older people.

• Patients with long-term conditions

• Families, children and young people.

• Working age people (including those recently retired and students).

• Vulnerable patients.

• Patients with poor mental health.

The surgery was also slammed for failing to keep systems and processes in place to keep patients safe which left them at risk. This includes the omission of no clear infection control since January 2014.

Inspectors also found the surgery was over-prescribing antibiotics when compared to other local medical centres through a lack of awareness of guidelines, and failed to carry out mandatory checks to protect patients from the dangers associated with high risk medication.

Staff at the surgery were unclear about reporting incidents, near misses and concerns and were unable to provide sufficient assurances that patients received effective care and treatment.

Although inspectors recognised that the surgery premises were clean and tidy, there were no cleaning records or schedules available.

However, patients told CQC inspectors that any help they needed was dealt with compassionately and support was provided if required.

They added that the surgery offered a good service and that staff were helpful, caring and treated them with dignity and respect.

The surgery has six months to make improvements or face further action by the CQC including the threat of closure.

Ursula Gallagher, CQC’s deputy chief inspector of general practice, said: “We are confident that the Clarence Medical Centre will take any necessary action to address the concerns we identified during our most recent inspection.

“We will re-inspect within six months to check whether sufficient improvements have been made.

If sufficient improvements have not been made and there remains a rating of inadequate for any key question or overall, we will take further action which may include closure.”

The surgery refused to comment when contacted by the Times.

Click here to read the full report.