Lanchester Medical Centre rated ‘Requires Improvement’ following follow-up inspection

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has upgraded the overall rating of Lanchester Medical Centre in County Durham from Inadequate to Requires Improvement following a follow-up inspection carried out between 21 and 23 April 2026.

The practice, operated by Dr Harpreet Singh Kalra, provides GP services to around 4,100 patients.

The inspection was undertaken to assess whether improvements had been made after CQC identified significant concerns during an inspection in July 2025. Following that inspection, conditions were placed on the practice’s registration and the provider temporarily stopped delivering regulated activities from 12 August 2025 until January 2026, while another organisation provided services. Dr Kalra had resumed full responsibility for the practice only a few weeks before the latest inspection.

CQC found that improvements had been made, and the practice is no longer in breach of regulations relating to safe care and treatment. However, inspectors identified ongoing breaches relating to complaints management and governance, and the provider has been asked to submit an action plan addressing these issues.

As a result of the inspection:

• Overall rating: Improved from Inadequate to Requires Improvement
• Safe: Improved from Inadequate to Requires Improvement
• Effective: Improved from Inadequate to Good
• Caring: Rated Requires Improvement
• Responsive: Improved from Inadequate to Requires Improvement
• Well-led: Improved from Inadequate to Requires Improvement

Inspectors found the practice had improved the management of people with long-term conditions, strengthened medicines monitoring, enhanced recruitment processes, and increased clinical staffing, including the appointment of two long-term locum GPs and an advanced nurse practitioner.

However, CQC also found that the practice did not consistently learn from safety incidents, complaints processes remained ineffective, some staff reported feeling unsupported, and there was insufficient consideration of the needs of people at greater risk of experiencing health inequalities.

The provider is required to address the remaining concerns and demonstrate further improvements.

Stay informed with the stories shaping health and social care.