The CQC says an ‘inadequate’ doctor’s surgery is still to be in “breach of regulations” and warned it could be shut down.

Dr Azim and Partners in Elliot Road, Hendon, was visited by Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors last month.

In November 2022, the surgery was rated as ‘inadequate’ - the health watchdog's lowest rating.

The latest ungraded inspection, published on June 1, found that “the vast majority but not all of the concerns” identified last year had been addressed.

Inspectors warned that if the surgery does not improve, the CQC will be forced to begin the process of “preventing the provider from operating the service”.

In the visit, inspectors found continued issues with the care and treatment of patients with acute asthma.

Inspectors also found a lack of evidence that the GP’s clinical team had attempted to wean patients who were prescribed more than 10 benzodiazepines - a type of sedative - off these medicines.

The report added that there was not enough evidence to suggest that “patients had been informed of the risk of addiction to these medicines”.

This prompted the watchdog to warn the surgery that it must “ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients”.

Inspectors had found the female patient toilets had been out of order for around three months and there were no grab rails.

The CQC said that the practice had addressed these issues, and had improved the system for listening and learning from complaints.

The new report also found the monitoring of patients prescribed high risk medicines had improved since the previous inspection.

A spokesperson for North Central London Integrated Care Board said: “North Central London Integrated Care Board takes the Care Quality Commission’s findings and rating very seriously and we have been working closely with NHS England and Dr Azim and Partners in Barnet to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to meet the Care Quality Commission’s recommendations.

“Our number one priority is to ensure that patients receive safe, high-quality services when they need it now and in the future.”

The practice remains in special measures and will be kept under review until another graded inspection is carried out.