Dr RW Harrison & Partners Also known as Howden 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 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.

The practice had contracts to ensure the premises was maintained. Staff and leaders completed health and safety risk assessments and undertook audits to ensure they had identified and addressed all risks. The practice had a comprehensive business continuity plan which was regularly reviewed and outlined how the practice should continue to operate in the event of a disruption.

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, health care assistants and pharmacists. A review showed that the majority of staff were up to date with their training which the practice had deemed mandatory. There was a plan in place to use the next staff training day for staff to complete their mandatory training. Staff operated within their agreed areas of competence and there were regular opportunities for non-medical prescribers to have debriefs with GPs.

The practice regularly reviewed what the demand for services was so that they could plan accordingly. We saw examples across the administration workforce that they were able to perform dual roles. This meant that if there was a shortage of staff due to annual leave or sickness, others would be able to cover these areas.

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 a criminal records check.

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.

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 practice’s premises and a sample of equipment was reviewed and was noted to be visibly clean. The practices infection prevention and control lead conducted regular risk assessments and audits to ensure compliance and took action where necessary to mitigate any identified risks. The infection prevention and control audit identified wall surfaces adjacent to examination couches that could be improved. The practice had procured protective tiles to reduce infection risks and improve cleanliness.

Staff had completed relevant training in infection prevention and control. An audit had also been completed to monitor staff’s hand hygiene.

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