Two health services in Greater Manchester have been rated 'inadequate' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) this week, with serious prescription errors and legal breaches identified. Little Lever Health Centre-2 in Bolton was found to have multiple 'serious' prescribing errors by a particular GP, with no evidence of learning or monitoring. This was not the first time these errors had been flagged by inspectors, as similar mistakes were found in 2024.
Little Lever Health Centre-2: Prescription Errors and Staffing Concerns
The CQC reported that opioid prescriptions were 'unsafe' in several cases, with patients not routinely reviewed to ensure the medication 'continued to be appropriate'. Test results were not dealt with 'in a timely way', with 69 outstanding results at the time of inspection, 31 of which were 'outside the normal range' for action. Multiple staff members had not completed safeguarding training, and there was confusion over the safeguarding lead, with paperwork naming an employee who no longer worked there and current staff naming different colleagues. Some recruitment files were missing DBS checks and references, and employment histories for some people were incorrect.
Appointments were consistently delayed, with just one in a three-week period starting on time. Of 87 appointments analysed, 49% of patients were seen 30 minutes or more late, and 23% were seen 45 minutes or more late. However, 93% of respondents to a national survey said they had confidence and trust in their doctor at the centre, and 85% said their GP was 'very good or fairly good at treating them with care and concern'. The practice was rated 'good' in the caring category.
FCNA Homecare: Legal Breaches and Special Measures
FCNA Homecare in Hale, Trafford, was rated 'inadequate' and placed in special measures after inspectors found multiple legal breaches regarding consent, safe care, and good governance. Concerns were raised over a lack of assurance that medicines were managed safely, changes in health were identified and acted on 'in a timely way', and people's rights were upheld. Failings in record keeping for service users meant staff 'did not have reliable, current information to share, and people could not be confident that written information reflected their actual needs'. Staff recruitment had 'significant gaps', including missing induction records, references, and employment histories. Evidence of medicine competency and mental capacity and best interest training was also missing, meaning the provider could not show 'how staff were enabled to deliver safe or legally compliant care', the CQC added.
Positive Ratings for Other Services
In contrast, Radcliffe House in Bury, a care home for young people, was rated 'good'. Inspectors praised its 'good understanding' of residents, with young people speaking positively about staff. The service encouraged participation in day-to-day activities like cooking and shopping to build independence, and planned outings such as swimming. The provider had a 'proactive and positive' approach to safety, with lessons learnt to 'continually identify and embed good practice'. Effective plans were in place to support young people when moving into the home.
Greenbank Medical Practice in Oldham also received a 'good' rating. The CQC found 'enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff' who received 'effective support, supervision and development'. The practice 'ensured outcomes were positive, consistent and met the expectations' of patients. Patients said: 'Nothing is too much trouble.' However, only 51% of respondents to a national survey said they had a good overall experience of contacting the service, compared to a national average of 70%. In response, the practice introduced a triage system so that all requests were reviewed by a GP who prioritised urgent needs, and changed the phone system to include a 'ring back' function so that people did not have to wait in a queue.
