The contract of a Bolton GP surgery has been terminated after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated it inadequate for the third time, leading to the appointment of a caretaker provider. Little Lever Health Centre 2, previously run by Dr Thiruppathy Subramanian, was found to have a blame culture and persistent failures in safe care and governance.
Third Damning Inspection
In a report published on June 16, 2026, the CQC rated the practice, which serves approximately 2,862 patients, as overall inadequate. It remained in special measures after inspections in December 2024 and March 2025 also found it inadequate. The latest assessment, following an April inspection, rated it inadequate for being safe and well-led, and requires improvement for being effective and responsive.
Inspectors noted that while patient feedback was positive, there were often delays in seeing a GP after the scheduled appointment time. The report highlighted a lack of a clear shared vision, strategy, and culture, and stated that staff reported a blame culture where the provider did not take responsibility for issues.
Caretaker Provider Appointed
NHS Greater Manchester terminated the contract and appointed Rochdale Health Alliance as caretaker provider earlier in June. A spokesperson for NHS Greater Manchester said: “We acknowledge the Care Quality Commission’s latest rating of Little Lever Health Centre-2 as inadequate and recognise that this may be concerning for patients. Our priority is to ensure patients continue to have access to safe, appropriate and good-quality GP services.”
The spokesperson added that Rochdale Health Alliance is providing clinical leadership and working with NHS Greater Manchester and local partners to support staff and deliver improvements until long-term arrangements are agreed. Patients are advised to continue contacting the surgery as usual.
Breach of Regulations
The CQC had served a warning notice in December 2024 for breaching regulations related to safe care and treatment, good governance, and fit and proper persons employed. The June 2026 report found that the required improvements had not been made and the provider remained in breach of the same regulations under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and Regulated Activities Regulations 2014.
The CQC stated it would continue action in line with its enforcement powers. The report concluded: “At this assessment we found the provider has failed to make required improvements and is still in breach of regulations in relation to safe care and treatment, good governance and fit and proper persons employed.”
Impact on Patients
Little Lever Health Centre 2 is one of two practices in the same building; the CQC report only applies to Dr Subramanian's practice. NHS Greater Manchester emphasized that services remain available and there should be no disruption to patient care. The caretaker arrangement is a standard NHS approach to ensure continuity while improvements are implemented.
