Sherburn Group 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 72 (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.

Sherburn Group Practice detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

The practice had contracts in place to ensure the premises was well maintained. Staff and leaders had completed health and safety risk assessments and undertaken audits to ensure they had identified and addressed any potential risks.

Portable appliance testing and calibration of equipment were up to date, and regular fire safety checks were conducted.

The practice had a business continuity plan which was regularly reviewed and outlined how they would continue to operate in the event of a disruption such as loss of access to the building, computer systems, telephony or utilities, incapacity of GPs and staff and loss of access to paper medical records.

Staff we spoke to on the day of our visit confirmed that they had all the equipment required to safely and effectively undertake their role. They also confirmed that they were satisfied with the health and safety arrangements at the surgery.

Sherburn Group Practice did not always make sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff. They did not always make sure staff received effective support, supervision and development. They did not always work together well to provide safe care that met individual needs.

The practice employed a range of clinical and non-clinical roles, which included 4 GP partners and 6 salaried GPs, 1 GP Registrar and 1 Locum GP, a Practice Manager and Assistant Practice Manager, nurses, healthcare assistants, dispensary team, reception and administrative staff, plus domestic assistants.

Staff we spoke to on the day of our visit confirmed that, when all staff were at work, there were enough staff to provide safe, quality care and that, during periods of staff absence (sickness, annual leave etc.), adequate staff cover was maintained.

Staff received annual appraisals and the staff we spoke to during our visit stated they found these useful.

GP Registrars and medical students were appropriately supervised, with (for example) dedicated debrief slots at the end of each session for GP Registrars to discuss cases and receive feedback.

Induction training was tailored to individual roles and included an overview of policies and procedures, mandatory training, an overview of the Performance and Development Review process and health and safety.

We found most training was up to date and that the learning needs and development of staff was mostly managed appropriately. However, some staff were overdue specific training (including sepsis awareness training, health and safety training, equality, diversity and inclusion training and infection prevention and control training) and we were therefore not assured that leaders consistently monitored staff to ensure they were up to date with all mandatory learning.

The practice mostly followed safe recruitment procedures when employing staff, which were in line with national legislation. This included identity checks, review of qualifications, obtaining professional references and a criminal records check. However, we identified one member of staff who had been employed before undergoing their Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and there was no indication that the practice had a documented risk assessment in place whilst awaiting the DBS check.

It was also noted that the practice was not always following their recruitment policy and did not maintain complete records of staff immunisation status in line with national guidelines. This had been identified as an issue during the most recent Infection Prevention and Control audit in June 2026 however, and the provider was taking steps to address the issue – they had introduced a new process to ensure that all employees had their immunisation record checked, that outstanding immunisations were identified and that accurate details were retained in staff records.

Sherburn Group Practice assessed and managed the risk of infection. It detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly.

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

During our onsite visit, the premises and a sample of equipment were reviewed and were noted to be visibly clean.

The practice had a designated infection, prevention and control (IPC) lead and they had conducted regular risk assessments and audits to ensure compliance, acting where necessary to mitigate any identified risks.

IPC training was mandatory for all staff and, at the time of our visit, most staff had completed it. Staff we spoke to on the day of our visit were able to identify the IPC Lead and confirmed that they felt that the IPC arrangements at the practice were sufficient to protect staff and patients.

During our visit however, some single use items (specifically, paediatric urine bags designed for safe and effective urine sampling in infants and children) were found in consultation rooms which were 6 months out of date. These were immediately removed by the practice manager.

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