Swanlow 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 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 69 (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.

The service maintained a safe environment for people using the service and staff. Environmental risks were assessed and managed, and equipment and safety systems were maintained appropriately. We identified that risk assessments were not in place for all chemicals used directly by the practice. However, the provider took prompt action following the assessment and submitted evidence demonstrating that appropriate risk assessments and management arrangements had been implemented.

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

The service ensured there were sufficient qualified, skilled and experienced staff who received support, supervision and development. Staff worked well together to provide care that met people’s individual needs; however, systems used to monitor and evidence oversight of staff training and recruitment records were not always effective.

Staff had access to training relevant to their roles and leaders monitored compliance through an electronic training system. However, there was no formal process in place to identify and follow up staff who had not completed required training. In addition, records did not consistently retain the required evidence for identity checks, and the provider did not have effective systems in place to record, monitor and retain evidence of staff immunisation status.

Following our assessment, the provider took prompt action to address these concerns and submitted evidence demonstrating that the identified issues had been resolved or that appropriate action plans were in place to support their resolution.

The service assessed and managed the risk of infection. They had arrangements in place to detect and control the risk of infection spreading and share concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. However, oversight arrangements were not always fully effective in providing assurance that infection prevention and control standards were being consistently met.

The service had cleaning schedules available, which outlined how staff should clean the building and its equipment. During our onsite visit, the service's premises and a sample of equipment reviewed were noted to be visibly clean.

The infection prevention and control lead had not received training appropriate for the role. We found audits were not always completed fully, and monitoring of contracted cleaning services did not consistently provide assurance that cleaning standards were being met. Following the assessment, the provider took prompt action to address these concerns and submitted evidence demonstrating that the identified issues had been resolved.

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