Majority of BAME GPs find CQC inspections ‘traumatic’, reveals survey

A NEW survey has revealed a shocking disparity in Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections in General Practice.

The survey, carried out by the GP forum at the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO), has found out that over 70 per cent of GPs from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds have described these inspections as 'traumatic'.

The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

More than 85 per cent of the 130 respondents felt that the inspections do not add value to the clinical care or prevent harm and as many as 80 per cent do not think these inspections are fair, transparent, objective or replicable, the survey said.

According to the survey, 90 per cent of the respondents said that the inspectors showed no understanding of the diversity and cultural aspects of the team and the populations. More than 50 per cent of GPs surveyed said that smaller practices in inner-city and rural areas receive disproportionately poorer outcomes, it said.

Another finding from the survey was that three out of four respondents felt that these checks by the independent regulator are intense and take the staff away from direct clinical care.

"The survey confirms our worries that inspections are simply a burden on GPs and a huge source of strain on the staff. It is unfortunate that so many feel unable to challenge CQC decisions and do not have confidence in the ratings," said Dr Kamal Sindhu, chair of the BAPIO GP Forum and GP in North East.

"This has to lead to positive change especially with massively overstretched and exhausted staff who have been working very hard throughout the pandemic."

Dr Kalindi Tumurugoti, GP forum executive member and a GP in Nottingham, said: ‘It is alarming that BAME-predominant practices receive disproportionality poorer outcomes, thus a double whammy, with the additional regulatory burden, for BAME GPs who have historically manned areas of high deprivation.’

Recently, the CQC chief inspector of primary care has said that it is committed to equality.

"One of the challenges my team and I have been reflecting on is concerns that practices led by GPs from an ethnic minority background receive poorer CQC ratings or regulatory outcomes," Dr Rosie Benneyworth said earlier this month.