By Alex Smith
A surgery in Carlton that was placed in special measures has now been repossessed, it has been confirmed.
The Willows Medical Centre, in Carlton, Nottingham, was closed in June by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), leaving about 4,000 patients needing to seek treatment elsewhere.
It was put into special measures because patients were at risk of harm after it was discovered a healthcare assistant posed as a doctor and carried out internal examinations without being qualified to do so
A subsequent CQC report revealed the healthcare assistant also diagnosed patients and appeared on the appointment system as a doctor.
NHS England and Nottingham North & East Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) received a formal resignation from Dr Sylvester Nyatsuro – who ran the practice – in relation to his GP contract in August.
Councillors were told by CCG officials on Tuesday the premises was “placed in receivership” from Dr Nyatsuro last month and will be auctioned off “shortly”.
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Councillor John Clarke asked health bosses if “alarm bells” had been ringing over Dr Nyatsuro – after the councillor read a Daily Mail article earlier this year, which alleged Dr Nyatsuro’s involvement in a dispute over land in Zimbabwe.
Hazel Buchanan, from the CCG, said the article’s contents relate to a “wholly different issue” and “not whether Dr Nyatsuro was qualified as a GP or not”.
As a result of the surgery’s closure, patients were advised to contact Peacock Healthcare in Carlton Hill, Park House Medical Centre on Burton Road or Netherfield Medical Centre.
Ms Buchanan said the “majority” of patients went to Park House and Peacock – which has resulted in the closure of Peacock’s list for three months, which means no more patients can register there.
About 1,000 patients are still registered with The Willows, but Ms Buchanan said there is “more than enough capacity” for the remaining patients, who she said will be contacted by the CCG to inform them of the latest developments.
Councillors were told a review is taking place with the CCG, NHS England and the CQC next month to identify what lessons can be learned from the case.
