A GP practice in East Finchley was rated inadequate by the inspector in all but one category.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected Cherry Tree Surgery in Southern Road, East Finchley, in July 2017 and rated it inadequate overall, with this rating carrying through in categories of safety, effectiveness, responsiveness and its leadership.

It was rated as "requires improvement" for being caring.

The CQC inspected the surgery to assess whether sufficient improvements had been made after it was suspended for six months and reopened, but the regulator did not find the necessary improvements.

Professor Ursula Gallagher, CQC Deputy Chief Inspector of GP Practices, said: “It is very disappointing that despite the additional support received this practice remains inadequate.

"Whilst some improvements had been made we did not find the significant, sustainable changes required to provide patients with the care they deserve.

"We are in urgent discussions with the provider and others about the future, but in the meantime the service will be kept under close review and if needed could be escalated to urgent enforcement action."

The surgery was found to have had no safeguarding register for vulnerable adults or children, a lack of alternative emergency medicines for patients allergic to penicillin, or interpreting service for patients who do not speak English as a first language.

There were also few appraisals for staff or systems to act on or avoid risks associated with patient safety alerts.

The practice had recently formed a group to gather patient feedback and all electrical and clinical equipment had been tested and was in good working order, with systems in place to ensure the monitoring of equipment such as defibrillator and oxygen.

Professor Gallagher added that another inspection will be conducted within six months, and if insufficient improvement has been made the CQC will move to close the service.

The surgery must now improve its record keeping and complaints system, implement staff training where necessary and move to ensure patients are protected from abuse, improper treatment, and that care is provided in a safe way.