https://club.hcqc.co.uk/c/self-audits/edit-lesson/sections/517639/lessons/2437847
In general practice, we routinely measure blood pressure — during pill checks, new patient registrations, annual reviews, or even opportunistically. But what happens when that reading is a little too high… and the patient doesn’t have a diagnosis of hypertension?
Too often, the answer is: nothing.
Raised blood pressure in patients without a hypertension code can fall through the cracks. There’s no automatic alert, no structured follow-up, and no guarantee that another clinician will notice it later. That’s a missed opportunity — not just for the patient, but for your practice to demonstrate safe, effective and proactive care.
🩺 This Audit Helps You Find the Gaps Before CQC Does
The new assessment framework is about more than policies and protocols — it’s about showing that you’re making care safer and more person-centred in real life. This audit helps you:
- Track whether elevated BP readings are followed up
- See if at-risk patients are getting appropriate advice and referrals
- Check that you’re identifying potential hypertension early
- Align with the “Monitoring and improving outcomes” and “Involving people to manage risks” CQC quality statements
And it’s a great way to evidence that your clinical systems are working — or highlight what needs strengthening.
Why This Isn’t Just a QOF Issue
Some readings won’t meet QOF thresholds. Some patients won’t attend repeat checks. Some data gets lost.
But each raised blood pressure reading is a moment to prevent future harm. A conversation about diet, weight or alcohol. A check for headaches or fatigue. A link to the pharmacist or health coach. A note in the record that someone is paying attention.
Following up doesn’t mean over-medicalising — it means offering options.
✅ From “Assuming It’s Fine” to “Knowing It’s Safe”
This audit doesn’t just help you tick boxes — it helps you create a culture where every reading matters, and every patient gets a fair chance at prevention.
Because in a busy practice, it’s easy to miss things.
This audit helps you make sure you don’t.
