We (The Care Quality Commission) carried out an unannounced inspection at Exeter Medical on 16 December 2011. We spoke with five people and a relative about the care and treatment received. We looked at their care records and the written information provided. We spoke with seven staff who worked there about the care and treatment, staff training, development opportunities and support received. People we spoke to had received a range of treatments which included cosmetic surgery as well as laser and intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) which can be used to treat conditions such as acne and birth marks, hair removal and skin rejuvenation. We were told that people, including children, whose names were on the NHS waiting list for surgery could choose to have their treatment at Exeter Medical. Other doctors, who specialised in other areas of medicine, such as disorders of the digestive system also carried out clinics and treatments there. The service operated Monday to Friday normally but some evening and Saturday sessions have been arranged, when needed.
Everyone we spoke to told us they were fully involved in discussions about their care and treatment and confirmed the information they received was sufficient to make enable them to make decisions about their care.
People we met said they were very satisfied with the treatment they had received. We found they received treatment in accordance with their needs and wishes in a safe and well managed way. One person said the service was 'first class', a second person described it as 'clean, bright, friendly and professional 'whilst a third said they were 'in and out in no time.'
All staff were trained to recognise signs of abuse and written safeguarding policies and procedures for safeguarding children were in place, which included how to report concerns to the local authority. Similar written procedures were needed for safeguarding adults.
We found people were safe and their welfare needs were met by competent staff who had regular opportunities for training, updating and received regular supervision.
We saw a range of systems and checks in place for monitoring health and safety, quality of care and treatment. Improvements were implemented following feedback from people, the findings of audits and via learning from adverse events. We found no overall system in place to monitor that all equipment on site was regularly serviced, maintained or indicated when it was due for replacement.
We found that individual records for all NHS and private patients were kept which were in line with national guidance, with one exception. The exception related to the operation records for one consultant who operates at Exeter Medical, whose operation records were stored together in a folder in a treatment room. These could get lost or accessed inappropriately.