GP practice in special measures after inspection

A GP practice has been put in special measures and told it needs to make "rapid improvements".

Glenroyd Medical in Blackpool was found by inspectors not to investigate or report safety concerns, not properly check staff were suitable, or to give the right training.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said the service had "deteriorated" from its previous Outstanding rating.

The practice said it was working towards resolving the issues raised by the watchdog.

Glenroyd Medical serves about 14,000 people in Blackpool and Bispham.

Both of its surgeries were inspected in April and May.

Inspectors said staff did not work well together because they had not "received effective support, supervision and development".

Fire safety management was found to be "unclear, meaning people could be put at risk in an emergency," the CQC said.

But patients felt listened to and were treated with "kindness and compassion".

Linda Hirst, CQC deputy director of operations for the region, said: "When we inspected Glenroyd Medical, although we found caring staff, it was disappointing to see such a deterioration in the quality of care being provided since we last inspected.

"Poor leadership had led to people receiving unsafe care, and we found several areas where urgent improvements are needed to keep people safe."

In a statement on its website, Glenroyd Medical said its inspection "did not go as hoped" and that it was working to fix the problems raised by the August deadline given by the CQC.

It added: "The matters highlighted focus mostly around recording of processes, procedures and policies, recording of team learning, HR documentation, remedial property work etc. and not on the 'Clinical standards, performance delivery or caring for you as patients, for which our rating was good.

"We will continue to provide you with a high-quality primary health care."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.