A GP surgery in Neasden has been downgraded from ‘good’ to ‘inadequate’ by health chiefs and put into special measures.

Neasden Medical Centre, in Tanfield Avenue, has been given the overall rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Dr Raphael Rasooly’s practice was rated inadequate for being safe, effective and well-led and rated ‘requires improvement’ for being caring and responsive.

In a report inspectors said the practice did not have systems and processes in place to keep patients safe or manage medicines safely. They said receptionists could not identifying deteriorating or acutely unwell patients.

There was “limited monitoring of the outcomes of care and treatment” and there was no evidence that staff had the “skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles”.

Leadership was identified as inadequate with inspectors finding that although the practice had a clear vision, “that vision was not supported by a credible strategy”.

Nor did the practice “always act on appropriate and accurate information”, the report added.

Caring and responsive services require improvement because there was “insufficient nursing capacity to meet patient needs which were reflected in low child immunisation and cervical screening achievement rates”.

The practice had not acted on feedback from the National GP Patient Survey, inspectors found.

The report said the surgery “must” make improvements to ensure that care and treatment is provided in a safe way.

It should also improve on the identification and support of patients with carer responsibilities, the report said.

Cllr Ketan Sheth, chair of Brent Council’s community and wellbeing scrutiny committee, said it was “really disappointing news” adding: “My scrutiny committee will keep a watching brief to ensure Brent residents aren’t adversely impacted”.

Special measures will give patients the reassurance that the care they get should improve, the CQC said.

The health inspectors added that while the CQC is not conducting routine inspections during the coronavirus lockdown, it will take action if there is evidence that people are at immediate risk of harm.

A CQC spokesman said: “Our immediate focus will be on supporting the service to keep people safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Unsuccessful attempts were made to contact the surgery for comment.

To give feedback on your surgery call 03000 616161 or fill a web form at www.cqc.org.uk/give-feedback-on-care