Blackhall & Peterlee 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 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.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Staff told us they had a regular team who they called upon to address any environmental issues or carry out necessary repairs.

Staff and leaders completed health and safety risk assessments and undertook audits to ensure they had identified and addressed all risks. The practice operated from both ground and first-floor clinic rooms, with lift access available.

The practice maintained emergency equipment on both the ground and first floors. A readily accessible emergency equipment bag was available in the ground floor reception area, while a second set was stored in a clinic room on the first floor due to the layout of the premises. The practice recognised that accessing this equipment could potentially compromise a patient's privacy and dignity if the room was in use and was actively exploring alternative storage arrangements to relocate the equipment.

The provider had a business continuity plan which was regularly reviewed and outlined how the provider should continue to operate in the event of a disruption. This was tested recently when there was a power issue at the branch surgery in Peterlee Community Hospital and services were run from Blackhall Practice. This enabled them to maintain the provision of services.

The provider 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 provider employed a range of clinical and non-clinical roles, which included GPs, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, a physiotherapist and a GP assistant. Leaders ensured staff were up to date with their training which the provider had deemed mandatory and operated within their agreed areas of competence.

The provider followed safe recruitment procedures in line with national legislation. This included identity checks, verification of qualifications, professional references and criminal records checks. However, for 1 GP, references had not been obtained prior to employment. The practice identified and addressed this promptly, with the required references being requested and obtained.

Blackhall and Peterlee Practice is a training practice for postgraduate doctors entering general practice, including newly qualified doctors undertaking foundation training. The practice also supports the education of medical students and provides a supervisory environment for trainee supervisors to develop their clinical and educational skills.

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

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

During our onsite visit, the provider's premises and a sample of equipment reviewed was noted to be visibly clean. The provider’s infection prevention and control lead conducted regular risk assessments and audits to ensure compliance and took action where necessary to mitigate any identified risks.

Staff had completed relevant training 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.