Billericay Medical 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 people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. At our last assessment, we rated this key question as good. At this assessment, the rating remains the same.

Staff kept facilities clean and maintained equipment appropriately to ensure people were kept safe. They assessed and managed the risk of infection well and took steps to control the risk of it spreading. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience.

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. Fire drills were undertaken regularly and staff described robust systems during evacuations to ensure all people and staff were accounted for including those requiring mobility support.

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. Leaders demonstrated oversight of environmental risks and described prompt escalation processes where concerns were identified. The service had a business continuity plan arrangements to support safe care delivery during disruption. Staff described learning following a previous power outage, with arrangements made collaboratively with neighbouring services to maintain continuity of care. Leaders told us the business continuity plan was reviewed and updated regularly.

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, including GP’s, nurses including a healthcare assistant and administrative staff. Staff told us leaders were approachable and supportive and promoted a positive team culture. Leaders ensured staff were up to date with training the service had deemed mandatory and operated within their agreed areas of competence. Staff described access to learning through electronic training systems with protected time for learning. Leaders acted promptly to identify gaps in training to support staff awareness.

The service followed safe recruitment procedures when employing staff, which was in line with national legislation. This included identity checks, review of qualifications, obtaining of professional references and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Leaders demonstrated awareness of workforce pressures and succession planning arrangements. Staff told us they received regular supervision, annual appraisals and support from GP partners and senior staff.

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 systems to prevent and control infection risks. Clinical consulting rooms appeared clean and tidy, with personal protective equipment and hand sanitiser available throughout the service and for people at reception. Cleaning schedules, hand hygiene audits and infection prevention control audits were completed regularly. The practice submitted annual IPC compliance statements to the Integrated Care Board.

The IPC lead oversaw training, audits, and environmental monitoring. Staff demonstrated awareness of spillage kit use, waste segregation and specimen handling processes. Sharps bins were securely stored, and waste audits were undertaken to review disposal arrangements.

The practice worked with NHS property services regarding environmental cleaning and maintenance. Leaders had internal monitoring in place and escalated concerns relating to cleaning standards and environmental upkeep when necessary.

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