Sevenoaks Medical Centre

We rated it as good because:

• The service provided mandatory training in key skills to all staff and made sure everyone completed it.
• Staff understood how to protect patients from abuse and the service worked well with other agencies to do so. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it.
• Staff monitored the effectiveness of care and treatment. They used the findings to make improvements and achieved good outcomes for patients.
• The service made sure staff were competent for their roles. Managers appraised staff’s work performance and held supervision meetings with them to provide support and development.
• Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals worked together as a team to benefit patients. They supported each other to provide good care.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, and took account of their individual needs.
• Staff supported patients, families and carers to understand their condition and make decisions about their care and treatment.
• People could access the service when they needed it and received the right care promptly.
• Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. The service promoted equality and diversity in daily work and provided opportunities for career development. The service had an open culture where patients, their families and staff could raise concerns without fear.
• Leaders had the skills and abilities to run the service. They understood and managed the priorities and issues the service faced. They were visible and approachable in the service for patients and staff. They supported staff to develop their skills and take on more senior roles.
• The service controlled infection risk well. Staff used equipment and control measures to protect patients, themselves and others from infection. They kept equipment and the premises visibly clean.

However:

Diagnostic Imaging department

• Staff did not keep keys to the medicine cupboards in a secure place.
• The medicines cupboard temperature within the clinical room was found to be out of range and we did not see evidence that the high temperatures had been reported to the pharmacist. It was unclear whether the service had received guidance from the pharmacist as to the safety of the medicines stored inside.

Outpatient department

• Staff did not always keep control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) secure. The service took immediate action to secure the cleaning products after we raised our concerns.
• The storage of bulk waste, waiting for collection, was not in line with guidance.