Optimum Road Health Centre

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

We looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

This is the first inspection for this service since its registration with CQC. This key question has been rated as good.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The service demonstrated a generally positive approach to safety, with an emphasis on openness and honesty. Staff listened to concerns and took steps to investigate safety events, and learning was shared to help improve practice over time.

Staff told us they felt able to raise concerns, and clinical matters were discussed in team meetings to support learning.

There were established processes for reporting incidents, near misses and safety events. The provider also had systems in place to manage complaints when they arose. When things went wrong, staff apologised and offered support. Learning from incidents and complaints contributed to changes intended to improve care for others.

The service had systems in place to support the delivery of safe care. The service worked with patients and other healthcare providers to maintain safe systems and monitor safety within the practice.

Arrangements were in place to support continuity of care. Patients received follow-up where appropriate, including review of test results and advice where needed. The practice supported patients when they were referred to other services and aimed to maintain oversight of their care.

There were processes for registering new patients and reviewing relevant clinical information. Referrals, correspondence and test results were managed in a timely way, and the practice worked with other providers when patients moved between services.

The service had arrangements in place to safeguard children and vulnerable adults from abuse. Safeguarding policies were available to staff and reflected relevant legislation and local guidance. Staff had received safeguarding training appropriate to their role and were able to describe how to identify and report concerns.

There was a nominated safeguarding lead within the service. Safeguarding concerns were discussed as appropriate, and referrals were made to external agencies in line with local procedures. The service worked with other healthcare professionals and agencies to support people at risk and maintained appropriate records of safeguarding concerns.

Before the inspection, the service did not confirm people’s identity at registration; formal ID checks were implemented from the point of inspection onwards to reduce any risks with safeguarding and patient care.

The service worked with people to understand and manage risks, taking a holistic approach to their care. Care and treatment were delivered in a way that aimed to meet people’s needs while supporting them to remain safe and maintain their independence.

Emergency equipment was available and appropriately maintained. Staff were able to recognise signs of a deteriorating patient and understood the actions to take in response. Patients were provided with information about risks associated with their condition and were advised on what to do if their symptoms worsened or their condition deteriorated.

The service detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment and ensured equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Staff identified hazards, investigated safety events and discussed clinical matters in team meetings to share learning.

Contracts were in place to maintain the premises, and health and safety risk assessments and audits had been completed with identified risks addressed. Systems existed for reporting incidents, near misses and safety events, and processes were in place to manage complaints when they arose. A business continuity plan was maintained and reviewed to support ongoing safe operation.

The service ensured there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to provide safe, personalised care; staff received support, supervision and opportunities for development, and clinical and non-clinical teams worked together to meet patients’ needs.

Training was kept up to date, and staff worked within agreed areas of competence, with safe recruitment practices in place and systems such as supervision and appraisal supporting ongoing professional development. The service employed a locum specialist nurse to carry out ADHD assessments, and there was oversight of support and training in place through the agency.

The service assessed and managed the risk of infection and controlled the risk of spread. There was appropriate training in place to manage infection prevention and control (IPC). There were cleaning schedules in place and equipment was stored safely.

IPC risk assessments and audits had been completed, and actions had been taken to mitigate identified risks. Systems existed for reporting incidents, near misses and safety events, and staff were aware of procedures to escalate concerns to external bodies where necessary.

The service made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences, and involved people in decisions about their medicines when changes were made. Prescribing followed local clinical guidelines and formulary recommendations, with clinicians applying guidance on appropriate choice, dose and duration.

Private prescriptions were sent electronically via an electronic prescribing system and were digitally signed. The service did not prescribe any controlled drugs (medicines that have the highest level of control due to their risk of misuse and dependence). The lead clinician had monthly reviews of prescribing to ensure record-keeping and decision-making were in line with guidance.

Medicines kept in the building for emergencies were stored securely and at appropriate temperatures with routine checks of stock levels and expiry dates. Prescription stationery was managed appropriately, and the service had systems to respond to safety alerts and medicine recalls. Systems were in place for reporting incidents and safety events related to medicines.