Heaton Medical Practice had a large well maintained reception area which had leaflets and information available for patients. Patients were called through from the waiting area to the GP's consulting room via the use of an electronic board which detailed the person's name, the GP they were to see and the room for their consultation.The practice had electronic records in place to accurately describe the contact patients had with the service and the actions taken to provide appropriate care and treatment.
We found staff had access to contact details for both child protection and adult safeguarding teams. They were able to describe the appropriate actions they would take for safeguarding concerns.
The practice had a range of policies and procedures in place for staff to access, which supported the safe running of the service. The practice manager described the regular audits/reports which the practice completed following any significant event.
We observed the consulting and treatment rooms appeared clean, well lit and fully stocked to carry out the required procedures. Procedures for the safe storage and disposal of needles and waste products were evident in order to protect the staff and patients from harm.
Patients were cared for by staff who had been appropriately recruited following a robust recruitment process.
Patients told us; 'The practice is really clean'. 'I have always been treated well here, everyone is lovely'.