3. Safety and Quality

Question 1

What are the overriding themes of “Safety and Quality”?

Answer 1

1. Contribute to and comply with systems or protect patients
2. Respond to risk to safety
3. Risks posed by your health

Question 2

How do you contribute to and comply with systems to protect patients?

Answer 2

You must take part in systems of quality assurance and quality improvement to promote patient safety

Question 3

How do you take part in systems of quality assurance and quality improvement to promote patient safety?

Answer 3

1. Taking part in regular reviews and audits of your work and that or your team, responding constructively to the outcomes, taking steps to address and problems and carrying out further training where necessary
2. Regularly reflecting on your standards of practice and the care your provide
3. Reviewing patient feedback where it is available

Question 4

What must you do to help keep patient’s safe?

Answer 4

1. Contribute to confidential inquiries
2. Contribute to adverse event recognition
3. Report adverse incidents involving medical devices that put or have the potential to put the safety of a patient, or another person, at risk
4. Report suspected adverse drug reactions
5. Respond to requests from organisations monitoring public health
   Note - when providing information for these purposes you should still respect patient confidentiality

Question 5

How should you respond to risks to safety?

Answer 5

1. You must promote and encourage a culture that allows all staff to raise concerns openly and safely
2. You must take prompt action if you think that patients safety, dignity or comfort is or may be seriously compromised
3. You must offer to help if emergencies arise in clinical setting or in the community, taking account of your own safety, your competence and the availability of other options for care
4. Whether or not your have vulnerable adults or children and your people as patients, you should consider their needs and welfare and offer them help if you think their rights have been abused / denied

Question 6

What must you do if a patient is not receiving basic care to meet their needs?

Answer 6

You must immediately tell someone who is in a position to act straight away

Question 7

What should you do if patients are at risk because of inadequate premises, equipment or other resources, policies, or systems?

Answer 7

1. You should put the matter right if that is possible
2. You must raise your concern in line with the GMC guidance and your workplace policy
3. You should make a record of the steps you have taken

Question 8

What must you do if you have concerns that a colleague may not be fit to practice and may be putting patient’s at risk?

Answer 8

You must ask advice from a colleague, your defence body, or the GMC
If you are still concerned you must report this, in line with our guidance and your workplace policy, and make a record of the steps you have taken

Question 9

What must you do if you know / suspect you have a serious condition that you could pass on to patients, or if your judgement / performance could be affected by a condition / its treatment?

Answer 9

1. You must consult a suitably qualified colleague
2. You must follow their advice about any changes to your practice they consider necessary
3. You must not rely on your own assessment of the risk to patients

Question 10

What efforts must you take to reduce risks posed by your own health?

Answer 10

1. You should be immunized against common serious communicable diseases
2. You should be registered with a GP outside your family