Home / Health / GP Accused of 'Toxic Culture' & Patient Harm
GP Accused of 'Toxic Culture' & Patient Harm
6 Feb
Summary
- GP's surgery rated 'inadequate' by health watchdog.
- Patients declare 'no confidence' in doctor's leadership.
- Allegations of bullying and patient safety risks emerge.
Dr. Harpreet Singh Kalra, a Danish GP with a background in hair transplantation, is facing significant criticism for his management of Lanchester Medical Centre in County Durham. The UK's health and social care regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), recently placed the surgery into special measures after an inspection last summer found it 'inadequate' across four crucial categories.
Patients and staff have raised alarming concerns, leading to a 'no confidence' vote of 96% against Dr. Kalra. Allegations include a 'toxic culture,' bullying, and patients being 'at risk of harm.' Some patients claim misdiagnoses and improper care, with one describing near-fatal experiences.
Despite a period where Dr. Kalra was banned from his own practice, he has since returned. The CQC report highlighted serious leadership failings and a lack of effective systems for patient safety, including medication management and test result handling.
Dr. Kalra, who also owns another surgery and a cafe, has apologized for 'faults found in my clinical leadership' and stated improvements are being prioritized. However, patient anger and mistrust persist, amplified by ongoing GP shortages across the UK.
