A HENDON GP surgery has been placed into special measures after it was rated inadequate by a care watchdog.

Dr Datoo surgery, also known as Watford Way Medical Centre, was found to be unsafe by the Care Quality Commission during an inspection in August.

Inspectors found patients were not protected from abuse, due to a lack of safeguarding training for non-clinical staff.

Although the surgery was found to be clean and tidy, concerns were raised over infection control.

The practice was also found to have no fire risk assessment, and had not carried out a fire drill.

But patients were found to be positive about staff, and said they were treated with “compassion, dignity and respect”.

In the CQC’s report, it was rated ‘inadequate’ in two categories – for being safe and being well-led.

It was also rated as ‘good’ for being caring and being responsive to people’s needs, and ‘requires improvement’ for being effective.

Another inspection will be carried out in six months, and further action will be taken by the CQC if it has not improved.

Ursula Gallagher, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice, said: "When we are faced with a provider that is experiencing difficulties in providing adequate care for patients, our first instinct is to work with them to ensure that patient care improves.

“We are confident that Dr SL Datoo will take any necessary action to address the concerns we identified during our most recent inspection.

“In particular, the provider must ensure processes and up to date policies are introduced to ensure that patients are protected from risk, abuse and improper treatment.”

She added: “We will re-inspect within six months to check whether sufficient improvements have been made. If sufficient improvements have not been made and there remains a rating of inadequate for any key question or overall, we will take further action which may include closure.”

The Times Series has approached the surgery for comment.