The Care Quality Commission
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Archived: The Whalebridge Practice

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Health Centre, Carfax Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 1ED (01793) 692933

Provided and run by:
The Whalebridge Practice

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

16th September 2015

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out a focussed inspection of The Whalebridge Practice, Health Centre, Carfax Street, Swindon, SN1 1ED.

Our previous inspection on 10 October 2014 found breaches of regulations relating to the safe delivery of services. We found the practice was inadequate for the provision of safe services and was rated as requiring improvement for effective and well led services. Caring and responsive service provision was rated as good. Overall the practice was rated as one which required improvement.

We found during this inspection that the practice was meeting the regulations that had previously been breached and had taken action in relation to safe service provision. These areas related to infection control, safe management of medicines and the safe arrangements for responding to a medical emergency.

This report only covers our findings in relation to those areas in which were inadequate or required improvement. These areas were identified within our last inspection report. .You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for The Whalebridge Practice on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

  • Vaccines and liquid nitrogen were stored securely. There were systems in place to monitor and record the temperatures of all refrigerators containing medicines and vaccines.
  • There was a planned approach to clinical audits which led to changes in the care and treatment provided to patients.
  • The systems for the management of infection control were carried out effectively.
  • The training needs of staff were identified, planned and delivered.
  • A risk assessment process for the arrangements for responding to medical emergencies and for accessing resuscitation equipment was in place, reviewed and actions implemented to ensure a safe system.
  • A risk assessment was regularly carried out and actions put in place in regard to ensuring safe access arrangements for patients to the practice building and facilities.

We have amended the rating for this practice to reflect these changes. The practice is now rated good for the provision of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led services.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

10 October 2014

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

The Whalebridge Practice is a GP practice situated in Swindon and has approximately 9,700 registered patients. The practice team consisted of four GP partners, a salaried GP, three practice nurses, reception and administration staff, a healthcare assistant, and the practice manager.

We carried out an announced, comprehensive visit on 10 October 2014. During our visit we spoke with a range of staff. These included three of the GPs, two practice nurses, the practice manager, and the reception and administration staff on duty. We also spoke with patients who used the practice and we reviewed comment cards where patients shared their views and experiences of treatment and care provided by staff.

Before visiting, we reviewed a range of information we held about the practice and asked other organisations to share what they knew. This included the Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), NHS England and Healthwatch Swindon.

The overall rating for The Whalebridge Practice is requires improvement. Our key findings were as follows:

  • Patients told us they found the practice to be caring and supportive.
  • Patients with long term medical conditions were monitored regularly and were provided with the treatment and support they needed.
  • Staff were trained and competent to undertake their roles although a structured training plan was not in place.
  • Checks were not made regularly to ensure vaccines were stored at the correct temperature and suitable for use.
  • Vaccines and liquid nitrogen were not kept secure and were accessible to unauthorised people.
  • Clinical audits and systems for assessing the quality of the service were carried out.
  • There were gaps in the management of infection control by the use of an adjoining sluice room between the practice’s two treatment rooms. Nursing staff moved between these rooms to access equipment and facilities. There were open areas where equipment was stored in the sluice room and was at risk of contamination.
  • The building in which the practice was located was not well adapted to meet the needs of people with disabilities. 
  • The shared use and storage of the emergency equipment should be reviewed as to ensure that patients and staff welfare were not put at risk.

There were areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements. 

The provider must:

  • Ensure vaccines and liquid nitrogen are stored securely
  • Monitor and record the temperatures of all refrigerators containing medicines and / or vaccines.
  • Checks should be made to ensure audits, such as medicines safety and infection control are carried out and are effectual. 
  • Risk assess current arrangements for accessing resuscitation equipment. .

 The provider should:

  • Have a planned approach to clinical audits.
  • The training needs of staff should be identified and planned for.
  • Risk assess access arrangements for patients to the practice building and facilities.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice