Urmston Group Practice

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 staff protected people from avoidable harm and made sure care was delivered from environments that were clean and well maintained. At our last assessment, we rated this key question as good. At this assessment, the rating remains the same.

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.

We did not look at Learning culture during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safeguarding during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Involving people to manage risks during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

The service detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

The service had contracts to ensure the premises was maintained. Staff and leaders completed health and safety risk assessments and undertook audits to ensure they had identified and addressed all risks. Risk assessments were stored electronically with review dates and reminders in place.

The service had a business continuity plan which was regularly reviewed and outlined how the service should continue to operate in the event of a disruption.

Prescription stationery was not stored in line with NHS recommended guidelines, but the practice had implemented a risk assessment which stated they were kept secure. Staff reported feeling safe in the workplace and knew where to access policies and guidance.

During the assessment we observed that fire action notices were not on display and the practice did not have a written fire evacuation plan. The practice submitted this to us after the inspection. We also noted that legionella water temperature checks were not being completed in line with recommended guidance. The provider informed us after the inspection that this had now been put in

The service made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.

The service employed a range of clinical and non-clinical roles, which included GPs and nurses. Leaders mostly ensured staff were up to date with their training which the service had deemed mandatory and operated within their agreed areas of competence. However, training records reviewed identified that basic life support training had not been assigned to administrative staff and some other training gaps were noted. The practice sent us evidence after the inspection to show that nearly all staff had now completed their mandatory training.

The service followed safe recruitment procedures when employing staff, which were in line with national legislation. This included identity checks, review of qualifications, obtaining of professional references and a criminal records check.

The service assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly.

The service had cleaning schedules available, which outlined how staff should clean the building and its equipment. The service demonstrated how these were monitored for completion to maintain oversight of cleaning arrangements.

During our onsite visit, the service's premises and a sample of equipment reviewed was noted to be visibly clean.

An IPC audit had been completed with a compliance score of 91%, and actions identified had been completed. All staff completed infection control training as part of their mandatory learning.

Additional controls included monitoring of hand hygiene practices, cold chain management, fridge temperature checks, building walk-rounds and monthly cleaning audits undertaken by the contracted cleaning provider. Cleaning equipment was appropriately stored, COSHH documentation and risk assessments were available, and clinical waste arrangements were in place.

We did not look at Medicines optimisation during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.