It was recently reported in the Daily Echo that Bath Lodge GP Surgery in Bitterne was inspected in October 2016 by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and has been found to be inadequate.

During their inspection, the CQC found that the practice has good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs, however, the practice did not have sufficient processes and practices in place to keep patients safe at all times. As well as this, the appointment systems were not working well as there was insufficient clinical capacity and an inadequate number of appointments available for pre-booking.

Over the past few months, many patients of Bath Lodge have been in touch with me to highlight their experiences of using this practice. I am sure the findings of the CQC, which although concerning, will not surprise those patients who have struggled to book an appointment.

The practice clearly has some significant challenges ahead and has already taken a number of steps to make the improvements needed, such as increasing the privacy at reception and working on a new approach to the availability of appointments. The practice have also recruited a number of new GPs who start work early this year.

As well as this, Southampton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have been working very closely with this practice to ensure they make the necessary changes to improve the practice. The CCG wish to reassure patients that although substantial changes are required, the CQC has not said that services are unsafe and going forward they have a clear set of actions in order to improve the surgery.

The CQC will inspect this practice again in six months to check if the improvements have been made and they will take any necessary further action depending on the outcome of this.

While this is of course concerning, I wish to assure all patients of Bath Lodge surgery that I will continue to highlight all concerns brought to me with the Bath Lodge management directly and also the CCG. I am also in regular contact with the CCG and the management of the surgery.