PATIENTS at a Bournemouth GP surgery were at ‘risk of harm’ due to staff shortages and lack of training in infection control, according to a CQC inspection.

Durdells Avenue Surgery in Kinson is now in special measures after an unannounced inspection by the health regulator who rated the practice ‘inadequate’.

The CQC, which rated the practice as ‘requires improvement’ last year, said another inspection will be carried out in six months but it could face closure unless it is improved.

According to the CQC, the surgery had been told it was 'at high risk of infection from legionella' - a bacterium which can contaminate water systems - but had not acted to minimise the risk of infection.

It said the practice ‘did not maintain appropriate standards of cleanliness and hygiene’ for example the patient toilet was ‘visibly dirty’ and some patients commented the practice ‘did not feel clean.’

Three clinical sharps boxes for the safe storage of used needles and other sharp instruments had not been changed since September 2015 and December 2015 – despite guidance recommending they should be changed every three months to minimise the risk of infection, the report read.

Blank prescription stationery was not always kept secure and, on one occasion, clinical information was mistakenly sent to a GP who was on long-term absence so was not dealt with for eight months.

The inspection, which took place in February, also criticised the surgery for having ‘no clear leadership structure’ adding staff were not consistently well supported by management and the staffing arrangements.

Despite its rating of ‘inadequate’ for four categories of safe, effective, responsive to people’s needs and well-led, the surgery was rated as being ‘good’ for caring.

The report notes patients were ‘generally positive’ about their interactions with staff and said they were treated with compassion and dignity.

A spokesman from Durdells Avenue Surgery said: “Whilst we are, of course, disappointed with this, we acknowledge the findings of the report and would like to reassure patients that we are already working hard to address the issues and to ensure the continuation of good quality care in the practice.

"Despite the overall rating we are pleased to have been rated as Good for caring services, and that patients felt they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect, and that they felt involved in decisions about their care and treatment. If any patients have concerns about the findings of the CQC report, or would like to discuss things in more detail, we would invite them to speak to a member of the surgery staff."