Stockwell Road Surgery

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.

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

The surgery had contracts in place to ensure the premises was well maintained. Staff and leaders had completed health and safety risk assessments and undertaken audits to ensure they had identified and addressed any potential risks.

Portable appliance testing and calibration of equipment were up to date and regular fire safety checks were conducted. All staff had completed fire awareness safety training, with Fire Wardens completing additional tailored training for their role.

The surgery had a business continuity plan which was regularly reviewed and outlined how it would continue to operate in the event of a disruption (such as incapacity of GPs and staff, loss of the building, loss of utilities or telephony, and loss of medical records).

Staff we spoke to on the day of our visit confirmed that they had all the equipment required to safely and effectively undertake their role. They also confirmed that they were satisfied with the health and safety arrangements at the surgery.

Stockwell Road Surgery 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, including 6 GPs, a Practice Manager and a Patient Services Manager, 2 medical secretaries,a Clinical Data Manager, 2 nurses (although one position was vacant at the time of our assessment), a healthcare assistant, 8 medical receptionists and an administrator. Other staff worked at the surgery via the NHS Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) and included a Health and Wellbeing Practitioner, pharmacists, a Social Prescriber, a First Contact Physiotherapist, and a Paramedic.

The surgery was involved in the training of trainee doctors in the Harrogate district who were preparing to enter general practice. They joined the surgery for a period of six months to gain experience under supervision. Medical students from the university of Leeds also regularly spent time in the surgery.

Staff we spoke to on the day of our visit confirmed that, when all staff were at work, there were enough staff to provide safe, quality care and that, during periods of staff absence (sickness, annual leave etc.), adequate staff cover was maintained.

Leaders ensured staff were up to date with their mandatory training and operated within their agreed areas of competence. We found most training was up to date and that the learning needs and development of staff was managed appropriately. Where training had not been completed, there was mitigation for this (for example staff absence), and a system was in place to monitor completion.

Staff received annual appraisals and GP Registrars were appropriately supervised, with dedicated debrief slots at the end of each session to discuss cases and receive feedback.

The surgery followed safe recruitment procedures when employing staff, which were in line with national legislation. This included identity checks, review of qualifications, obtaining professional references and an appropriate level of criminal record check. However, during our visit we found one recruitment file which had not retained copies of written references. There were no other concerns noted.

Stockwell Road Surgery assessed and managed the risk of infection. It detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly.

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

During our onsite visit, the premises and a sample of equipment were reviewed and were noted to be visibly clean. This was maintained when there was building work ongoing at the surgery which could have potentially caused issues around cleanliness.

The surgery had a designated infection, prevention and control (IPC) lead and they had conducted regular risk assessments and audits to ensure compliance, acting where necessary to mitigate any identified risks.

Annual IPC training was mandatory for all staff, and all staff had completed it.

The practice maintained records of staff immunisation status in line with national guidelines.

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