EIGHTEEN Dorset GP practices have been assessed as having an “elevated risk” of providing inadequate care by the Care Quality Commission.

The CQC has published the results of its “intelligent monitoring” of GP surgeries, which found at least one area of concern at 18 different practices.

But GPs and practice managers have questioned the findings, claiming much of it is based on out of date or inaccurate information or the result of a straightforward administrative error.

They also pointed out that a third of the 18 surgeries flagged up as having at least one area of “elevated risk” were also categorised as band five or six, which means they are of lowest perceived concern and are likely to be among the last to be inspected. 

Dr Nigel Watson, the chief executive of the Wessex Local Medical Committees Ltd, which represents Dorset GP practices, said the data was limited.

“One of the practices identified as “failing” has 37 of the 38 indicators as average or above average, the only one in which they are any worse than average is the percentage of Ibuprofen and Naproxen they prescribe as a percentage of all non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs,” he said.

“By any fair and reasonable measure, this does not mean that this practice is “failing.” In fact, it is an excellent practice that is well organised and has a team of dedicated and caring GPs, any of whom I would be very happy to have as my own GP.

“I can reassure your readers that the quality of general practice in Dorset is very high and well above average.”

Sarah Dummer-Wade, practice manager at the Eagle House Surgery in Blandford, where the CQC identified two elevated risk areas, said they had challenged the CQC's assessment that they had a high proportion of people waiting too long for an appointment as their last NHS patient survey revealed a satisfaction rating of 95 per cent.

And she said the CQC's assessment they had not recorded the alcohol consumption of patients with mental health problems was an administrative error due to the practice using a different code to the NHS.

 Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice, said: "There is a lot of good and outstanding care taking place across the country as our data and recent reports show.

 "While it is positive that over 80% of general practices are currently a low concern based on the available data, there is no reason for complacency and standards must continue to improve.

 "It is important to remember that the data is not a judgement as it is only when we inspect we can determine if a practice provides safe, high-quality and compassionate care.”

The surgeries below have been deemed as being an 'elevated risk'.