This year we are taking part in training sessions for the west area of Newcastle. The practice will be closed for some half days to allow all members of staff to attend training on important areas of work including the new National Service Frameworks that set out standards for patient care for a range of important health conditions.

The programme has covered

1. Caldicott Review
   We have been working to ensure confidentiality of information about patients.
   
   
2. Risk Management
   We have reviewed systems in the practice to identify flaws in procedures that might result in problems and taken steps to avoid them
   
   
3. Significant Event Analysis
   We have examined episodes in which problems have arisen to see whether they can be avoided in future. We have developed a system for recording such problems, for analysing them and for taking action. This programme will continue.
   
   
4. Group Protocols
   The health authority have produced group protocols for the administration of vaccines by nurses giving clear guidance about how and in what circumstances this should be done. The practice has adopted and implemented these guidelines
   
   
5. Audit of Complaints Procedure
   An audit of the complaints system to check on how the complaints procedure is implemented.
   
   
6. Educational Meetings
   A series of education meetings to update practice staff on important areas of work and in-house sessions to allow the practice time to work on improvements to the service.