Cockermouth GP Apologises To Patients After Surgery Placed In Special Measures
The lead GP at Castlegate and Derwent Surgery has apologised after admitting serious governance failures left the Cockermouth practice in special measures.
Speaking before Cumberland Council's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Dr Simon Desert acknowledged the scale of the problems and told councillors: "We have to acknowledge there has been a serious failure of governance. This has been a coach crash."
The apology follows an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which found breaches relating to safe care and treatment, leadership and governance, safeguarding, and the handling of complaints. Inspectors also discovered more than 1,000 appointment reminders awaiting action, including blood tests, scans, and X rays.
Dr Desert told councillors the practice had experienced financial difficulties following its move into a new building, which contributed to governance failures and operational problems. He also revealed that financial misconduct had been identified in 2023, while evidence presented to a coroner in 2025 described the practice as "unsafe and ungoverned."
The surgery, which serves around 18,500 patients in Cockermouth and surrounding communities, has introduced a three stage recovery plan focused on immediate risk reduction, eliminating safety concerns over six months, and implementing long term governance reforms. Face to face consultations have now replaced an outsourced triage system, helping clear appointment backlogs.
Dr Desert confirmed the practice is assessing three potential healthcare providers and hopes to complete a merger with a preferred organisation in the coming weeks. He said stronger leadership and governance arrangements are now in place as the surgery works to rebuild patient confidence.
Councillors questioned the practice over recruitment, patient safety, and an ongoing police investigation into alleged financial malpractice. Members agreed the surgery should return later this year to provide a further update after a patient survey has been completed.
The CQC will continue monitoring the practice while improvements are implemented. Local MPs and councillors have welcomed the acknowledgement of failings but stressed that restoring safe, reliable healthcare for patients must remain the priority.
Got a news story or tip to share? Contact our editorial team by emailing news@lakelandpost.co.uk or call us directly on 0333 090 2080.