East Finchley 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

Staff kept facilities clean and maintained equipment appropriately to ensure people were kept safe. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience.

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. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

Contracts were in place to ensure the premises and equipment were maintained. Health and safety risk assessments had been undertaken and risks identified had been addressed. These included assessments relating to legionella and fire safety. The practice carried out fire drills, equipment checks and weekly fire alarm testing. The practice had also allocated staff as fire wardens who had undertaken additional training specifically tailored to their role. The waiting area was visible from the reception desk to allow staff to respond promptly to patients who may deteriorate. 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 practice had arrangements in place to support service continuity during disruptions including arrangements with a neighbouring practice and paper consultation templates for use during system outages.

The practice 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 practice employed a range of clinical and non-clinical roles, which included GPs, nurses and health care assistants. We reviewed a sample of training and recruitment records for five members of staff and found training was up to date. Leaders had processes in place to ensure staff kept up to date with training which included regular reminders to staff. Staff told us they were encouraged to undertake further training and development and the practice ensured staff had protected learning time. The practice 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 Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) checks.

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.

Cleaning schedules were in place and followed. The practice had a designated infection, prevention and control (IPC) lead and risk assessments and audits were carried out with actions taken to mitigate risks. The practice had an IPC policy in place and staff had undertaken appropriate IPC training. The practice maintained a Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) register for hazardous substances used within the practice. The premises and equipment were visibly clean and appropriate hand hygiene signage was displayed.

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