A SCATHING inspection from the health regulator has criticised a cosmetic surgery after it was rated as inadequate again.

The CQC’s chief inspector of hospitals, Dr Sean O’Kelly, found Dr Glancey Clinics, based in Heath Road, East Bergholt, prescribed unlicensed medicines and failed to record missing drugs.

Dr Lucy Glancey, who is the medical director of Glancey Clinics, offers a range of cosmetic surgeries including liposuction, face lifts and hair transplants.

But the inspection report rated the cosmetic surgery as inadequate in its provisions of safe and effective care, with the leadership of the practice also given the lowest rating.

It means the cosmetic surgery clinic has now been rated inadequate for the second time this year, after it was placed in special measures in February.

The report said if the practice does not improve in its next inspection, the CQC will close the service.

In the report, the inspector found medicines were stored at the wrong temperature and patients did not have their age verified before they were treated.

The inspector noted none of the staff at Dr Glancey’s clinic had job descriptions, with only two members of staff having references.

The report added: “Staff prescribed, administered and supplied medicines to patients and gave advice on medicines which was not in line with legal requirements and current national guidance.”

But according to the clinic’s legal representative, the practice’s medical director, Dr Lucy Glancey, has contested the report.

He said: “Dr Glancey has challenged the factual accuracy of the report and is also challenging the overall rating which she believes is fundamentally unfair and not reflective of the service she provides.”

The representative added: “One part of the report relates to Kenalog, which is not licensed in the UK for the treatment of hay fever, however, until recently was prescribed off licence by NHS GPs.

“A prescriber can make a professional decision to prescribe a medicine outside the indications stated in the medicine’s licence to meet the specific clinical needs of their patient.”

It continued: “Another part related to four co-codamol tablets which had been misplaced, but were found within minutes of the inspection with evidence was provided to the CQC.

“To describe this as a ‘significant event’ is disproportionate.”