A doctor’s surgery in Haringey could be shut down after inspectors found patients were being put at risk of abuse or harm.

Health inspectors found staff at Staunton Group Practice in Wood Green failed to warn women of the risks associated with a drug that could harm unborn children.

The medicine, sodium valproate, is primarily used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder and migraines.

But if unborn children are exposed to the drug, it can lead to a high risk of serious developmental disorders or deformities.

Inspectors carried out a review of patient records and found four out of five women of childbearing age who had been prescribed sodium valproate, and who had not been prescribed contraception, were not told of the drug’s dangers following a safety alert.

The surgery, on Bounds Green Road, specialises in family planning and maternity and midwifery services, and has more than 3,500 women between the ages of 15 and 44 on its books.

The failure was one of a number of serious problems flagged up by health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following a visit by inspectors in May.

They also found patients who were suspected of having cancer were being put in charge of arranging their own hospital treatment.

Patients were put at risk by syringes, emergency medicines and other equipment being left in unlocked rooms, the CQC said.

Staff also failed to monitor patients’ health in relation to the use of high-risk medicines, according to the watchdog.

The CQC branded the practice ‘inadequate’ across the board in a report published yesterday (Monday, August 13).

The surgery had been put in special measures in October last year after it was rated inadequate following a previous inspection.

It has now been suspended for six months after the CQC judged insufficient improvements had been made.

The centre will remain open during the suspension but will be run by a different healthcare provider.

If the Staunton Group Practice does not make major improvements within the next six months, the health watchdog could shut it down.

Professor Ursula Gallagher, CQC deputy chief inspector of GP practices, said: “It is a matter of extreme concern when a practice falls below a certain standard of care – and the care we found at The Staunton Group Practice was so concerning that we had no choice but to prevent them working.

“Presently, patients are being cared for by a new leadership regime, and we will need to see vast improvements at the practice before we will consider lifting the suspension.”

A spokesperson for Haringey Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “Following an inspection of the Staunton Group Practice in Wood Green by the CQC, NHS Haringey CCG is aware that the practice has been rated ‘inadequate’ in its latest inspection report published on 13 August.

“The CCG takes the CQC’s findings and rating very seriously and we are working closely with NHS England and the practice to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to meet the CQC’s recommendations.

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