Care Quality Commission critical of Take Care Now
Release Date: 15 July 2010
The Care Quality Commission has today published its findings following an investigation into Take Care Now, the Cambridgeshire provider of out of hours care.
Take Care Now employed Dr Ubani, the out-of-hours doctor who accidentally administered a tenfold overdose of the drug diamorphine to patient David Gray. Mr Gray tragically died at his home shortly after the fatal dose was given.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC), which regulates all health and adult social care in England, found that Take Care Now had failed on many fronts, particularly in perpetuating staffing situations that were potentially unsafe, and failing to recognise clinical failures or risk.
The report outlines that two similar incidents had occurred prior to the death of David Gray. Both instances reportedly involved doctors who trained and practised in Germany, administering overdoses of diamorphine while working for Take Care Now in the UK. Notably, a doctor warned Take Care Now in 2008 that it was “only a matter of time before a patient is killed” due to an overdose of the drug.
The report comes just weeks after the General Medical Council’s fitness to practice panel expressed grave concerns about Dr Ubani’s competence. In February the Coroner at the Inquest into the death of David Gray recorded a verdict of unlawful killing and gave a number of recommendations to the Secretary of Health.
Inez Brown of Anthony Collins Solicitors, acting for the Gray family, said “I am satisfied that today’s report by the Care Quality Commission has highlighted the fundamental failings of Take Care Now. This compounds the verdicts already given by the Coroner and the GMC. I hope that recognition of these failings will go some way to ensuring that the out of hours system in the UK is improved so that such a tragic incident could not be repeated”.
Since 1 April 2010 it has been mandatory for all NHS care providers to be registered with the CQC and to meet the requisite standards. From April 2012, companies providing GP out-of-hours services will be brought into line with this and will also need to be registered with the CQC.
Take Care Now is no longer operational, but has been taken over by Harmoni, a provider of primary care services.
Further information is available from the Anthony Collins Solicitors Press Office. For general enquiries contact Simeon Ling on 07841 499693 or for media enquiries contact Jo Garner on 07717 897991 or 01527 888992, email
media@anthonycollins.com
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