Summary Care Record (SCR) is a national database that holds electronic records of important patient information such as current medication, allergies and details of any previous bad reactions to medicines

It is created from GP medical records – whenever a GP record is updated, the changes are synchronised to SCR.

It can be seen and used by authorised staff in other areas of the health and care system who are involved in the patient’s direct care but do not need access to the patient’s full record.

For further information visit the HSCIC website.

If you choose to opt out of the scheme, please complete our online form.

Alternatively, you may visit the practice to opt out.

For existing patients it is different in that it is assumed that you want your record uploaded to the Central NHS Computer System unless you actively opt out.

Beccles Medical Centre is a level three ‘Research Active’ practice and regularly takes part in clinical trial studies in conjunction with the East of England Primary Care Research Network based in Norwich. You may be invited to participate in some research projects if you fit the relevant criteria.

The practice research staff are:

• Ben Parker (Research Lead)
• Dr Helen Paretti (PI GP)
• Dr Benjamin Rackham (Co-PI, Clinical Pharmacist)
• Dr James Connors (GP)
• Vasi Munteanu (Practice Nurse)
• Gail Quinn (Practice Nurse)
• Erin Wright (Practice Nurse)

All of our research team are GCP certified and up to date with relevant training.

Take part in research

 

Infection Prevention and Control is the work an organisation does to identify potential risks for spread of infection between patients, and between patients and staff, and to take measures to reduce that risk. The Practice takes its responsibility for this very seriously, for the safety of services users and staff. All staff take responsibility for their own role in this, and all staff receive regular training in Infection Prevention and Control appropriate to their role.

• We take additional measures to ensure that we maintain the highest standards:
• We encourage staff and patients to raise any issues or report any incidents relating to cleanliness and infection control. We discuss these and identify improvements we can make to avoid any future problems.
• We have a communication book used for any cleaning issues with our domestic staff.
• We carry out an annual infection control audit to ensure our infection control procedures are working.
• We provide annual staff updates and training on cleanliness and infection control.
• We provide updates at staff clinical / nonclinical forum meetings.
• We review our policies and procedures regularly to make sure they are adequate and meet national guidance.
• We have adopted the Community Infection Prevention and Control Policies for General Practice – NHS Norfolk and Waveney – Written and produced by Community Infection Prevention and Control Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.
• We maintain the premises and equipment to a high standard and ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to reduce or remove all infection risk. Report any issues in a timely manner.
• The equipment we use is disposable where possible e.g., couch rolls, privacy curtains, hand towels etc, and all other non-disposable equipment is cleaned according to manufacturer’s guidelines, to minimise the risk of infection.
• We make Alcohol Hand Rub Gel available throughout the practice.

Purpose of annual statement

In line with the Department of Health, The Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on Prevention and Control of Infection and its Related Guidance (2015), the practice annual statement will be generated each year.

It will summarise:

• Any infection transmission incidents and any action taken (these will have been reported in accordance with our Significant Events Report procedures).
• Details of any infection control audits undertaken, and actions taken.
• Details of any infection control risk assessments undertaken.
• Details of any staff training
• Any review and update of policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Leads:

Nurse IPC Lead: Gail Quinn

IPC Deputy: Sharon Crudgington

 

Infection transmission incidents (Significant Events)

Significant events which may involve examples of good practice as well as learning events are investigated and discussed to see what can be learnt, and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements. All significant events are discussed in regular clinical meetings and/or non-clinical meetings, and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff.

All significant events are available to staff on our online staff platform, Agilio TeamNet.

• During 2024 – 2025 there were 2 cold chain breaches due to power cuts. Following policy and procedures and using the data loggers, minimal vaccines were lost.

Cold Chain Breach Prevention Plan:

• Data Loggers for each vaccine fridge are downloaded on rotation and fridges are cleaned once month.
• Fridge temperatures are recorded on the paper logs on each fridge twice a day.
• Clinic time is allocated, and a named nurse undertakes fridge temperature check.
• Fridge temperatures are recorded on Agilio once a day.
• Self – Audit for GP Practices on Cold Chain Maintenance is carried out annually.

No other Infection Control significant events.

 

Infection Prevention and Control Audit Report

Date Started	10/10/2024
Address	Beccles Medical Centre St Marys Rd Beccles Waveney Suffolk NR34 9NX
Client Name	NHS Norfolk & Waveney ICS
Auditor	Penelope Crossman-Jelliff SCORE  99%

 

Infection Prevention Audit and Actions

2024 Audit identified areas of improvement which were reported, repaired, replaced, compliant to guidelines.

All chairs/furniture should be damage free to facilitate cleaning. Replace damaged furniture with non-porous wipeable materials. HBN 00-09: Infection control in the built environment DH 2013; Code of Practice for the prevention and control of infections 2015 Criterion 2 – BMC.

Waiting room chairs Sent away in batches – Compliant 2025

Phlebotomy chairs repaired 2025

Oct 2024 / 2025   Infection Control Audit – Inspections Corrective actions:

Ensure walls have no defects which reduce effectiveness of cleaning. Repair/refurbish damaged areas so that surfaces are impervious and washable.	HBN 00-09: Infection control in the built environment DH 2013; HBN  00-10 Part B: Walls and ceilings DH 2013
Needs sanding and painting making it washable and impervious to moisture.	HBN 00-09: Infection control in the built environment DH 2013; HBN  00-10 Part B: Walls and ceilings DH 2013
All chairs/furniture should be damage free to facilitate cleaning. Replace damaged furniture with non-porous wipeable materials.	HBN 00-09: Infection control in the built environment DH 2013; Code of Practice for the prevention and control of infections 2015 Criterion 2

 

Plan for 2025 – ongoing Maintenance as above.

Infection Prevention Control external inspection is carried out every 18 months, and in-house inspections are carried out on a regular basis.

Areas identified and replaced 2025 –

Phlebotomy divider soiled and non-wipeable – replaced with non-permeable divider.

Couches in clinical room identified damaged – reported and repaired.

Equipment Trolleys identifies as damaged – new ones purchased.

 

Beccles Medical Centre will continue to undertake the following audits in 2024/2025:

• Infection Prevention and Control audit
• Cold Chain Audit (for safe storage and handling of vaccinations)
• Domestic Cleaning audit
• Hand hygiene audit

 

Training

All our staff receive annual online training in infection prevention and control.

• All clinical staff undertake Level 2 Infection Prevention and Control training.
• All non-clinical staff undertake Level 1 Infection Prevention and Control training, with the exception of the IPC Deputy who undertakes Level 2.

 

Policies

All Infection Prevention and Control related policies are kept up to date and reviewed regularly.

Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff and are reviewed in line with the Infection Control inspection and are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance, and legislation changes.

Infection Control policies are available to all staff on the staff platform, Agilio Teamnet, and communicated to staff when updates or new policies are needed to be read and actioned or circulated amongst staff for reading. These are discussed at clinical and non-clinical meetings on a regular basis.

 

Communicable infectious disease prevention. 

• We have an allocated room, and a box of labelled Personal Protective Equipment is located in the purple corridor cupboard.
• We have hand gel accessible around the surgery for patient use and offer masks if requested.
• Desks / equipment are clenil wiped down before and after each clinic by the clinician using the room.

 

If you have any concerns about cleanliness or infection control within the Beccles Medical Centre, please report these to our reception staff.

Beccles Medical Centre

December 2025.

Your Information

What We Do With Your Information

How We Keep Your Information Safe

Your Information Rights

Your Information

Beccles Medical Centre takes privacy seriously and we want to provide you with information about your rights, who we share your information with and how we keep it secure.

Please use the links below to find more information about the practice and data protection.

• Transparency
• Case Finding and Profiling – (Eclipse)
• Our Use of CCTV
• Our Use of Telephone Recording
• Provider Processors
• Processing Log
• Information Sharing Norfolk and Waveney
• Information Sharing in Suffolk

All of our surgery premises have suitable access for disabled patients and there are reserved parking spaces opposite the Health Centre.

Disabled patients WCs are available in both the Health Centre and Caxton Villa just inside the entrances.

There is a lift available at the Health Centre.

Caxton Villa has all consulting rooms are on the ground floor.

Wheelchairs are available if required.

Our practice is committed to maintaining professional standards. For certain examinations, an impartial observer (a “chaperone”) will be required. This chaperone will be a trained member of our team, available to provide reassurance and raise any concerns on your behalf.

You have the right to:

• Decline any examination
• Choose an alternative chaperone
• Request a chaperone if one is not offered

Please note, a clinician may not proceed with an examination if you decline a chaperone.

Role of a Chaperone

• Maintain professional boundaries during intimate examinations
• Acknowledge patient vulnerability
• Provide emotional comfort and reassurance
• Assist with undressing, if needed

Our practice has clinical and non-clinical trained chaperones.

About Non-Clinical Chaperones

Non-clinical chaperones are trained staff members (male and female), such as Care Navigators or administrative assistants, who provide support during sensitive or intimate procedures. While they do not assist clinically, they act as impartial observers to help ensure your comfort and safety. They are all trained to support patients, maintain confidentiality, and recognize signs of distress. They observe the procedure, offer emotional support, and can escalate concerns if needed.

In some cases, a family member may also be in attendance, especially for patients with learning disabilities or mental health needs.

The presence of a chaperone does not replace the clinician’s responsibility to clearly explain procedures, obtain consent, and protect your privacy and dignity.