Abbey House Medical 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

During the assessment we reviewed policies, spoke with staff via video conferencing, and undertook observations while on site. We completed remote clinical searches on the practice’s patient records system (this was with consent from the provider and in line with all data protection and information governance requirements). We reviewed patient records to identify issues and clarify actions taken by the provider We found the practice had systems and policies in place for recording and acting on significant events and complaints and to ensure compliance with the requirements of the duty of candour. Learning was shared effectively and used to make improvements. The practice had systems for the appropriate and safe use of medicines, including medicines optimisation.

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.

Information on how to make a complaint was displayed in the patient waiting area and on the practice website. Significant event reporting forms were available to all staff to access from the practice computer system. The practice had access to a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian.

Staff and leaders were aware of their responsibilities and knew how to identify and report concerns and safety incidents. The practice demonstrated they managed significant events and complaints appropriately and staff were involved in identifying any learning. Feedback and learning from significant events and complaints was shared with staff via their managers and at staff meetings.

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.

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

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

We did not look at Infection prevention and control during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

The practice could demonstrate the prescribing competence of non-medical prescribers, and there was a regular review of their prescribing practice supported by annual appraisals, clinical supervision and named clinical supervisors. During the assessment we were informed by the practice that they were going to introduce formalised prescribing audits and random sampling of consultations of non-medical prescribers. The practice had a programme of targeted quality improvement and used information about care and treatment to make improvements. The practice shared their audit action plan which identified audits to be completed and by whom. Regular searches of the patient clinical system were made to ensure patient care and monitoring was completed in line with current guidelines.

The remote review of patients who were prescribed medicines that required monitoring was generally well managed and showed patients received appropriate blood monitoring prior to medicines being prescribed. The practice had a system for recording and acting on safety alerts. We carried out a remote review of the clinical record system and found appropriate actions had been taken in response to safety alerts received.

There was a process for monitoring patients’ health in relation to the use of medicines including medicines that required monitoring (for example, warfarin, methotrexate and lithium) with appropriate monitoring and clinical review prior to prescribing. The practice ensured medicines were stored safely and securely with access restricted to authorised staff. Blank prescriptions were kept securely, and their use monitored in line with national guidance. Staff had the appropriate authorisations to administer medicines including Patient Group Directions or Patient Specific Directions. The practice held appropriate emergency medicines and a system was in place to monitor stock levels and expiry dates. There was medical oxygen and a defibrillator on site and systems to ensure these were regularly checked and fit for use. Vaccines were appropriately stored, monitored and transported in line with UKHS