Overview of safety systems and processes

The practice had clearly defined and embedded systems,

processes and practices in place to keep patients safe and

safeguarded from abuse, which included:

• Arrangements were in place to safeguard children and

vulnerable adults from abuse that reflected relevant

legislation and local requirements and policies were

accessible to all staff. The policies clearly outlined who

to contact for further guidance if staff had concerns

about a patient’s welfare. The principal GP was the lead

member of staff for safeguarding and had been trained

to level 3 as required. The GP had not attended many

safeguarding meetings due to restrictions on

availability, however always provided reports where

necessary for other agencies. Staff fully understood their

responsibilities and all had received training relevant to

their role, with regular updates facilitated by the lead

GP.

• A notice in the waiting room advised patients that

chaperones were available if required. All staff who

acted as chaperones were trained for the role and had

received a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS

check). (DBS checks identify whether a person has a

criminal record or is on an official list of people barred

from working in roles where they may have contact with

children or adults who may be vulnerable).

• The principal GP and practice nurse were the infection

control clinical leads but staff explained that all staff

took responsibility in ensuring the practice minimised

infection control risks. There was an infection control

policy in place and staff had received up to date

training. Although annual infection control audits had

not been routinely undertaken check lists were in place

and the practice maintained appropriate standards of

cleanliness and hygiene. We observed the premises to

be clean and well organised.

• The arrangements for managing medicines, including

emergency drugs and vaccinations, in the practice kept

patients safe (including obtaining, prescribing,

recording, handling, storing and security). The practice

had received funding from the local Clinical

Commissioning Group (CCG) and employed a Medicines

Coordinator. They were responsible for the regular

medicines audits, to ensure prescribing was in line with

best practice guidelines for safe prescribing.

Prescription pads were securely stored and there were

systems in place to monitor their use. The practice nurse

had qualified as an Independent Prescriber and could

therefore prescribe medicines for specific clinical

conditions. Patient Group Directions had been adopted

by the practice to allow the practice nurse to administer

medicines in line with legislation. The practice had a

system for production of Patient Specific Directions to

enable the health care assistant to administer

vaccinations. There was some discrepancy on how

these were authorised by the GP and this was discussed

with the principle GP during the inspection.

• We reviewed six personnel files and found appropriate

recruitment checks had been undertaken prior to

Are services safe?