The Annex

Updated 27 September 2022

The Annex is operated by South East Ultrasound Limited. The service opened at this location in January 2021.

South East Ultrasound Limited is an independent company providing diagnostic ultrasound and screening services to adults in the East Kent communities. The provider had three locations, Marlowe Innovation Centre, which is the head office and where the administration staff work, Lombard House and this location, The Annex.

The Annex offers diagnostic imaging services (non-obstetric ultrasounds) as part of a subcontract to the NHS.

The company employed two directors with one having the role of the registered manager, seven administration and information technology staff, 16 self-employed sonographers, one self-employed physiotherapist sonographer and one self-employed radiologist.

The provider also offered services at 11 mobile clinics located in GP surgeries and health centres within East Kent.

The location is registered to provide the following regulated activities:

• Diagnostic and screening procedures

The location has had a registered manager in post since January 2021.

A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

This location registered with the Care Quality Commission in January 2021 and this is its first inspection.

Updated 27 September 2022

This location had not previously been rated. We rated it as good because:

• The service had enough staff to care for patients and keep them safe. Staff had training in key skills, understood how to protect patients from abuse, and managed safety well. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. They managed medicines well. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them.
• Staff provided good care and treatment. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, advised them on how to lead healthier lives, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information. Key services were available to suit patients' needs.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. They provided emotional support to patients, families and carers.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of local people, took account of patients’ individual needs, and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for treatment.
• Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff understood the service’s vision and values, and how to apply them in their work. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities. The service engaged well with patients and the community to plan and manage services and all staff were committed to improving services continually.

However:

• Not all policies had been reviewed by the review date.

Updated 27 September 2022

We rated it as good. See the summary above for details.