GP practices are expected to comply with health and safety legislation. The CQC will also expect to see that practices are meeting safety requirements relating to medical equipment and reporting of patient safety incidents.
The CQC also expects practices to have conducted a legionella risk assessment to identify risks within their surgery and be able to show that they are managing these risks.
Maintaining medical equipment
- Maintenance of medical equipment
During inspections the CQC will want to see evidence of reliable systems, processes and practices in place to keep people safe. This includes using and maintaining equipment and ensuring that equipment is not out-of-date.
- Portable appliance testing and calibrating medical equipment
The CQC expects to see GP practices taking steps to protect staff and patients from the risks associated with using portable electrical appliances and calibrating medical equipment.
Other health and safety issues
- Cardiopulmonary resusciation in GP practices
Practices must be prepared to deal with a medical emergency and the CQC explains what it will expect to see during an inspection.
- Legionella
What the CQC expects to see in a GP practice in relation their responsibilities to protect staff and patients from the risks of legionella bacteria.
- Reporting patient safety incidents to the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS) for GP practices
The CQC will want to see evidence of how practice identify safety issues, record incidents and near misses and how they report and respond to these incidents during an inspection. This aritcle explains exactly what should be reported to the NRLS and how this information is used. - Health care waste
The CQC answers questions it has received from GP practices about the managment of clinical waste and sharps.
More CQC resources
- View the full CQC Essentials series on Medeconomics
- CQC's recommended reading to help practices meet regulations and prepare for an inspection
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