Walthamstow GP surgery with thousands of patients could close after doctor's other branch rated 'inadequate'

Dr Gabriel Ivjibaro’s practice at the Wood Street Health Centre was deemed “inadequate” by the CQC in October last year.

The inspection found that the lead GP only saw 77 patients during an eight-week period, an average of less than 10 patients a week.

The practice has proposed closing its branch in Forest Road and a final decision will be made by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) next month.

Patients at the Forest Road surgery could either register at the main Wood Street Health Centre site or at another nearby surgery.

Read more: Coronavirus case confirmed in Waltham Forest

A NHS Waltham Forest CCG spokesperson said: “It is anticipated that patient care will improve as a result, with no reduction in the number of appointments available.

“The practice has consulted with patients and the feedback received has been carefully considered.

“Any patients with particular concerns about access to Wood Street Health Centre have been invited to raise these with the practice.”

There are nine practices within a mile of Forest Road, including one in the same building as the surgery proposing to close, which will remain open.

Why the GP surgery is inadequate

A report on the Wood Street practice, published in December last year, noted: “There was insufficient attention given to low patient satisfaction with access to services, which had been an ongoing concern identified by CQC in 2016.

“We spoke with two patients, both mentioned difficulty in being able to have an appointment with the lead GP.”

The inspection also found that cancer referrals were monitored by just one member of staff, who used “a number of different notebooks”, and that “no other staff member knew how the process worked”.

Even more concerningly, in one instance a patient with an abnormal test result was not informed and thus did not see a doctor.

Read more: Pub slapped with borough's highest ever food safety fine over mouse problem

The practice agreed to create a new protocol for admin staff but, at the time of the inspection, “the protocol had not been completed”.

The practice hopes that operating from one site will improve access and is committed to changing its telephone system to be more responsive.

Other possible benefits include giving new patients access to additional services available at the Wood Street site and consolidating GPs with special interest at one surgery.

The Wood Street branch had almost 7,000 patients, as of June last year.

For more breaking news, local headlines and features, ‘like’ our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter account: @ELondonGuardian

Follow us to keep up-to-date with news in Waltham Forest and Redbridge.