A CONTROVERSIAL medical centre has been taken over by the clinical commissioning group after the partnership of doctors running it was dissolved following a High Court ruling.

Dr Shaista Hanif and Dr Anant Prasad were in charge of the Shanti Medical Centre, rated "inadequate" in a recent inspection, but the ending of their partnership means the contract to provide care, commissioned by Bolton health bosses, has been cancelled.

The practice in St Helens Road, Daubhill plans to open as normal and the clinical commissioning group (CCG) has made arrangements for local doctors to provide care until a more permanent solution can be found. Su Long, Bolton CCG's chief officer, said: “It is important for patients using this service to be aware that Shanti Medical Centre will open at the usual time on Thursday, July 19, and they will continue to be offered general practice services from this site.”

The CCG says it had been working with the CQC in an attempt to help the partners resolve their issues, but this has not been possible.

The medical centre, which has 6,000 patients on its books, has been struggling for some time — its Care Quality Commission ranking is “inadequate” and it has been placed in special measures.

In March the centre was ordered to pay £150,000 to three staff who had been dismissed after whistleblowing to the General Medical Council.

The centre was inspected in November and again in March. The report from the latest inspection was published this month and said there had been “no sufficient improvement” between visits.

Due to the lack of improvement enforcement action has been taken by the CQC to remove the centre from its register or vary the terms of its registration.

The leadership at the practice was criticised in six areas by the CQC. The report said: “Leaders did not work effectively together or consistently have the capacity and skills to deliver high-quality, sustainable care.”

The culture at the practice was also criticised.

The report stated: “Staff did not feel respected, supported or valued in a practice that no longer focused on the needs of patients.

“Leaders and managers acted inappropriately when dealing with staff behaviour and performance.

“Openness, honesty and transparency was not demonstrated between leaders.

“Staff we spoke with told us they were not able to raise concerns for fear of reprisal.

“Relationships had broken down.”

A CQC spokesman said: “The CQC has indeed commenced their enforcement action working very closely with Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group. At all times, the safety and welfare of people using this service are of paramount importance.”

At the time of the inspection in March there was no practice manager, Matthew Mann has since taken the role, he said: “We’re working hard to try and resolve any issues [raised in the CQC report].”