CQC: DBS checks for staff in GP surgeries often missing 

Care Quality Commission investigation highlights safeguarding concerns 

Some GP practices on the Isle of Man do not have systems, practices or processes to keep vulnerable patients safe from abuse.

The Care Quality Commission has highlighted concerns about effective safeguarding after finding that some staff aren’t trained to the appropriate levels and data sharing is poor.

Inspectors have reviewed the 13 GP surgeries and say the way of identifying patients who need safeguarding support is ‘not consistent’.

At the time of the inspection last year Hailwood Medical Centre, in Governors Hill, did not have a child protection register or adult safeguarding register.

At Kensington Group Practice, in Douglas, staff failed to hold regular safeguarding meetings and training records showed many were overdue refresher training.

Confidential information was also found, at many GP surgeries, in unlocked cupboards, drawers and clinic rooms.

The CQC inspection, commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care, has also flagged issues with checks carried out on staff following recruitment.

Many practices can’t demonstrate that their staff have the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles and DBS certificates were often missing.

At Peel, Palatine and Hailwood, among others, several staff had not received a check at the point of employment and risk assessments to mitigate this had not been conducted.

Staff professional registrations were not always checked either and the vaccination histories of employees were not always sought prior to employment.

Paul Moore is the executive director of nursing for Manx Care: