A MEDICAL centre was given the lowest rating after inspectors found staff members failed to provide safe care to patients.

North Laine Medical Centre, in Gloucester Road, Brighton, was graded “Inadequate” by Care Quality Commission officials on its safety, effectiveness and leadership.

Staff were praised for their care but they need to improve on their responsiveness.

Inspectors reported: “The practice was unable to demonstrate appropriate therapeutic monitoring of patients prescribed with high risk medicines.

“Staff understood their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report incidents and near misses. However, the practice did not demonstrate that significant events, complaints and safety alerts were always thoroughly recorded, analysed and appropriately stored, or that learning was shared effectively with staff.”

The medical centre received an overall “Good” rating at its last inspection in 2016. Officials also found staff do not consistently record and update patients’ medical details.

Officials reported: “Patients’ immediate and ongoing needs were not always fully assessed. This included their clinical needs and their mental and physical wellbeing.

“We found there was conflicting information about the arrangements for following up failed attendance of children’s appointments following an appointment in secondary care or for immunisation.

“There was limited evidence of quality improvement activity to review the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care provided.

“The facilities and premises were appropriate for the services delivered. However, we noted there was no emergency assistance alarm within the disabled toilet.”

Patients reported they were treated with compassion, respect, and they are involved in care decisions.

The surgery recently announced it will close at the end of November and merge with St Peter’s Medical Centre in Oxford Street, which will be extended into the 36-space car park behind the surgery. Four thousand patients will be moved to St Peter’s, which already has 11,275 clients.

A spokesman for the St Peter’s Medical Centre said: “While the rating North Laine Medical Centre received was disappointing for them, we know they are working hard to improve their service for patients.

“The larger practice will be more sustainable with greater capacity to support patient services and ensure high quality care in a challenging primary care environment. We look forward to them joining our team and getting to know their patients.”