A GP practice in Walkden has been rated "inadequate" after its latest inspection.

Healthcare regulator the Care Quality Commission visited Walkden Gateway on April 12 and has found that surgery's overall rating is "inadequate".

The services's safety, effectiveness and leadership were ranked as "inadequate" while the areas of whether it is caring or responsive to people's needs were both rated "good".

It was found that there was no safeguarding lead and some staff told the inspectors they were not aware of the safeguarding process in the practice.

Hand hygiene audits had not been completed since 2020, there was no process for monitoring patients’ health in relation to the use of medicines including high risk medicines and not all the required emergency medicines were held.

They also found examples of potentially undiagnosed diabetes during clinical searches, there was no system in place for monitoring thyroxine treatment and there was no evidence that patients who had experienced acute exacerbation of asthma had been followed up appropriately.

Dr Rosie Benneyworth, chief inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care, said in her report that inspectors found four breaches of regulations.

Dr Benneyworth said: "We found four breaches of regulations.

"The provider must ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients, ensure service users are protected from abuse and improper treatment, establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care, ensure staff receive such appropriate support, training, professional development, supervision and appraisal as is necessary to enable them to carry out the duties they are employed to perform.

"The Care Quality Commission will refer to and follow its enforcement processes in taking action reflecting these circumstances.

"I am placing this service in special measures and the Care Quality Commission will follow its enforcement policy in dealing with the risks identified during the inspection."

In response to the inspection, a spokesperson for NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group said: "It is important that the residents of Salford are able to receive high quality primary care. 

"The CCG was aware of the Care Quality Commission’s inspection of the practice and the findings. 

"We are working with the practice to address the issues identified in the report. 

"If any patients wish to contact the CCG we can be reached via salccg.patientservices@nhs.net.

"Please visit www.salfordccg.nhs.uk for more information and other ways to get involved or get in touch."