A medical practice has been told to improve after inspectors found it was “inadequate” in several areas.

The CQC team visited South Ashford Medics at St Stephen’s Walk in December, and published its report last week.

In the report inspectors raised key concerns with the practice’s safety, effectiveness, responsiveness and leadership, and rated it as inadequate in three out of five categories, while the other two required improvement.

The centre cares for some 8,700 patients in what is described as one of the poorest and most deprived areas in the country, with high levels of unemployment.

Inspectors raised key concerns, in particular with how the centre copes with unaccompanied asylum seeker children and vulnerable patients who fail to attend appointments.

The report said: “The practice was unable to demonstrate that all clinical staff had received up-to-date safeguarding training appropriate to their role.

“It did not identify or follow up on the non-attendance of a child or vulnerable persons for appointments as a potential safeguarding concern.”

According to a GP survey conducted last July, the practice was measured as below the national average on issues like whether the GP was good at listening to patient complaints, giving them enough time, and treating them with care and concern.

Inspectors also noted that the practice did “not have reliable systems” to ensure the “consistent, appropriate and safe handling of medicines”.

They also criticised the leadership saying “the GP partners did not demonstrate they had the capacity and skills to deliver high-quality, sustainable care.”

Practice manager Mark Arnold said staff work hard at the centre and are “disappointed” by the CQC report but says plans are in place to improve.

He said: “The report does document a number of positive areas of work within the practice.

"However, the practice does recognise that the CQC, under its new inspection regime, has identified some areas for improvement.

“We take the safety and welfare of our patients very seriously and have begun urgent action to address the areas where we need to improve" - Mark Arnold

“We take the safety and welfare of our patients very seriously and have begun urgent action to address the areas where we need to improve.

“We are confident that the required policies and processes will be in place within the next few months. We have already made the necessary changes to our Did Not Attend and Safeguarding policies.

“The GP partners and all of the practice staff wish to reassure patients that we have a robust action plan in place and are committed to ensuring that all patients receive the very best care.

“This report gives us an opportunity to work with our patients to improve quality and internal systems to meet the required CQC standards.”

He added that the next patient participation group meeting is at 5pm on Thursday, March 8. Mr Arnold can also be contacted at the practice.

Patients and others can see the whole report online. Visit www.cqc.org.uk