Dalston Medical Group

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 72 (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 provider detected and controlled most potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Staff told us they had a regular team who they called upon to address any environmental issues or carry out necessary repairs.

Clinic rooms had appropriate flooring and equipment. However, in 1 clinic room we identified minor defects in the décor and the floor-to-wall seal. Managers had already identified these issues and recorded them on their risk register. Plans were in place for the necessary repairs to ensure compliance. We also found an out-of-date alcohol swab stored in a clinic drawer. Managers took immediate action to recheck clinical stock and remove any expired items.

Staff and leaders completed health and safety risk assessments and undertook audits to identify and address risks. However, prescription stationery was not always managed in line with current guidance, as arrangements to ensure its security and restrict access to authorised individuals were not consistently in place. Following our assessment, managers took action to secure prescription stationery and implemented a new system to strengthen its future management and security.

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

The practice 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 practice employed a range of clinical and non-clinical roles, which included GPs, nurses, health care assistants and an advanced clinical practitioner. Leaders ensured staff were up to date with their training which the service had deemed mandatory and operated within their agreed areas of competence.

Non-medical prescribers had access to a range of support mechanisms, including GP support for case discussions, prescribing audits and appraisal processes. These arrangements provided oversight and support for prescribing practice. However, there was no formal process in place to assess and document prescribing competency, and records of clinical supervision were not maintained. Following the assessment, partners reviewed these arrangements and were in the process of implementing a new system to strengthen competency assessment and the recording of clinical supervision.

The provider 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.

Dalston Medical group is a training practice for post-graduate doctors entering general practice, including newly qualified doctors in their foundation training. It is also a teaching practice for medical students.

The practice detected and controlled the risk of infection spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. They assessed and managed most risks of infection.

During our onsite visit, the practice's premises and a sample of equipment reviewed was noted to be visibly clean. The provider used manual cleaning schedules for each clinic room which outlined how staff should clean the rooms and its equipment. However, for the 2 clinic rooms assessed the manual cleaning schedules were not present. Staff told us that these had always been present and were used daily. Staff described how these were monitored for completion to maintain oversight of cleaning arrangements. Following the inspection, the schedules were located, reviewed, and restored to the clinic rooms.

The practice’s infection prevention and control lead conducted regular risk assessments and audits to ensure compliance and took action where necessary to mitigate any identified risks. Staff had completed relevant training in infection prevention and control.

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