Cutlers Hill 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 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.

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 staff and leaders were fully aware of all potential risks in the surgery environment we observed they were well controlled, audited and actioned. The staff and leaders made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. They detected and controlled potential risks in the surgery environment.

The surgery had effective contracts to ensure the premises were maintained to a high standard, which included for example, fire, electrical and water safety. We found staff and leaders completed health and safety risk assessments that were regularly audited to ensure they had identified and addressed all risks. The surgery had a business continuity plan which was regularly reviewed and outlined how the surgery should continue to operate in the event of a disruption. The surgery kept a rolling project plan of improvements and actions taken to ensure their population received safe and quality care.

The surgery made sure there were always enough qualified, skilled, and experienced staff, who received thorough support, supervision and strong development opportunities. This was evidenced in the training records and staff appraisals we reviewed and the conversations we had with staff about training and development opportunities. The surgery teams worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. Assurance of this was seen in the ongoing plans for the practice and staff. We were given examples by staff that they were provided time off when needed to support them with family concerns and bereavement.

The surgery employed a range of clinical and non-clinical roles, which included GPs, nurses, nurse practitioners, urgent care practitioners, physiotherapist team members and pharmacists. Leaders ensured staff were up to date with their training which the service had deemed mandatory and operated within their agreed areas of competence. 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. We received assurance of these checks during the onsite visit to the surgery.

The surgery thoroughly assessed and managed the risk of infection. They always quickly detected and controlled the risk of infection spreading and always shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. This assurance was seen in the surgery’s comprehensive infection control policy and their infection prevention audit report showing full compliance.

The surgery had effective cleaning schedules, which outlined how staff should clean the building and its equipment. The surgery demonstrated how these were monitored and completed to maintain oversight of cleaning schedules. During our onsite visit, the surgery premises and a sample of equipment reviewed was noted to be visibly clean with dated monitoring checks that had been undertaken. The service’s infection prevention and control lead conducted regular risk assessments and audits including hand hygiene, sharps management, waste management and decontamination of environment to ensure compliance and took actions where necessary to mitigate any identified risks. Staff had completed relevant training for their role at the surgery 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.