Valley Medical Centre

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 patients 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 practice detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. Leaders made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

The practice used external companies to regularly check and maintain the premises and equipment. Leaders also kept their own records of activity and schedules to maintain oversight and ensure premises were safe for patients and staff.

Staff and leaders conducted regular health and safety risk assessments. They completed audits to ensure they had identified and addressed all risks.

The practice had a comprehensive business continuity plan which leaders reviewed regularly. It clearly outlined how the practice should continue to operate in the event of a disruption. It detailed the responsibilities of staff so they would know what to do in range of different scenarios.

Leaders ensured staff were prepared to act in the event of an emergency. They held regular fire and lockdown drills to test staff knowledge of emergency policies and procedures.

The practice had recently held a comprehensive fire evacuation drill (involving both staff and patients) which was successful. The drill demonstrated staff understood and could easily follow the emergency plan in place to keep everyone safe.

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

When employing staff, the practice followed safe recruitment procedures in line with national legislation. This included identity checks, review of qualifications, obtaining professional references, and a criminal records check. The practice provided a comprehensive induction for new staff based on their role.

Leaders proactively developed internal staff, providing training opportunities and allowing them to progress based on their skills and interests.

Staff we spoke to told us they felt supported by leaders and colleagues. They also had access to an employee assistance programme which could support them with a range of issues.

Valley Medical Centre participated in the training of medical students. All new clinical staff were assigned a mentor (usually a GP partner of the practice) for support when they started. However, all leaders offered support to any staff member who needed it.

Clinical staff accessed daily medical discussions where they could raise any queries or concerns.

Clinical leaders ensured their non-medical prescribing (NMP) staff were supervised and supported in their work. NMP staff are registered healthcare professionals (such as nurses and pharmacists) who have completed training to legally prescribe medicines. Clinical leaders reviewed prescribing by NMP staff to ensure their treatment decisions adhered to professional guidance and were both safe and clinically effective.

Leaders had a system to track staff were up to date with training which the practice had deemed mandatory. We found not all staff had regularly completed the training modules assigned to their role. However, leaders provided some reasons for this. The practice did not rely solely on online modules to train their staff. We saw evidence that staff had received bespoke in-person workshops and training to embed understanding of new practice policies and key learning areas.

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

A staff member had a lead role in infection prevention and control (IPC). All staff had completed IPC training relevant to their role. The IPC lead conducted regular checks to ensure staff followed safe IPC procedures. All IPC policies and protocols were reviewed regularly and accessible to staff.

The practice had a contract in place for the cleaning of premises. Leaders completed regular checks to ensure cleaning was completed to the required standard. They had a process in place to feed back any issues to the cleaners. Staff were also responsible for ensuring their work areas and treatment rooms were maintained according to IPC standards.

Patients told us Valley Medical Centre was clean and tidy. We observed this to be the case during our visit to the practice. A sample of equipment reviewed was noted to be visibly clean.

Leaders ensured staff received appropriate immunisations to fulfil their role safely. Risk assessments were completed for any staff unable to confirm their vaccination status.

The practice was prepared against outbreaks. For example, staff actively looked out for cases of measles. Any patients with a fever and a rash were managed with enhanced IPC precautions.

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