Clinical Risk Self-Assessments for GP Practices

A systematic approach that identifies risk and develops practical solutions

Overview

Healthcare providers have a statutory duty to improve the quality of patient care, ensure patient safety and reduce medical error. Creating a safe environment for patients and staff is very important and, by implementing simple risk management principles, practices can address the risks that may compromise staff and patient safety.

CRSAs offer an opportunity for all members of the team – GPs, managers, nurses, receptionists and therapists – to work together, talk openly and develop practical solutions that promote safer practice.

CRSAs will:

• Identify potential areas of risk and encourage all members of the team to develop safer practices
• Reduce the likelihood of complaints and claims
• Support the practice development plan
• Provide useful evidence for appraisal and revalidation
• Identify non-compliance with national standards
• Improve communication within the team.

What does it involve?

We found the whole day of the CRSA invaluable. The report was excellent and has enabled us to look at ways that we could minimise risk in our practice ie, procedures/ protocols/ communication. The information provided was helpful and the facilitators were excellent. Mrs Ward, Practice Manager, Eastgate Surgery

A CRSA involves:

• A pre-visit questionnaire
• A full-day visit by a trained MPS risk assessment facilitator, incorporating a half-day multidisciplinary workshop
• Confidential exploratory discussion with key members of staff
• Completion of a staff patient safety culture survey, which helps identify the importance of patient safety within the organisation.

The survey is validated by York University. For more information on this validation, please click on the attachment on the right.

On completion of the CRSA, a confidential report outlining the findings, actions to be taken, useful references and feedback from the patient safety staff survey, will be produced by the MPS facilitator who assessed the practice.

Many practices draw on their report at regular meetings to monitor progress and keep patient safety at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

How much does it cost?

For practices which are part of the MPS Practice Xtra:

Practice Xtra Gold              Free of charge as a member benefit
Practice Xtra Silver            £875 + VAT
Single-handed practices    £1,000 + VAT

For practices which are not part of the MPS Practice Xtra:

£1,750 + VAT + Expenses

Facilitators

MPS’s CRSA facilitators are trained and experienced professionals who have a clinical background.

More information

For more information, please see the PDF attachment on the right. Alternatively contact MPS Educational Services on +44 (0)113 241 0624 or email crsa@mps.org.uk.