London Women's Clinic

Updated 23 February 2023

The London Women’s Clinic is an independent clinic operated by The London Women’s Clinic Limited. The clinic is situated at 113 Harley Street.

The clinic provided a range of fertility treatments, diagnostic services and surgical procedures. Fertility treatments are not a regulated activity under the Care Quality Commission.

The service has recently registered for surgical activities as a new regulated activity in October 2022 to cover hysteroscopy procedures. This regulated activity commenced on 11 October 2022 and the provider has performed 13 hysteroscopies since then. Whilst we looked at some aspects of this regulated activity the provider has only provided these services for less than 12 months and sufficient evidence could not be collected to rate surgery as a separate core service.

We looked at the diagnostic services and hysteroscopy services (surgery) which are the only two services subject to regulation by the CQC. The service is also licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HEFA). All surgeries are day cases and there are no overnight facilities.

A hysteroscopy is a procedure which examines the inside of the womb, using a hysteroscope. This is a narrow telescope, with a light and a camera on the end. These procedures were done as a part of a fertility treatment and all treatments were self-funded.

The service had 2 specialist nurses, 2 ultra-sonographers, 5 consultants, 1 anaesthetist and 3 administrative staff.

We carried out an unannounced inspection on 10 January 2023.

The service has been registered with the CQC since 2022.

Updated 23 February 2023

This was the first time we rated this service. 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 managed infection risks well. Staff assessed risk to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. They managed medicines well. The service had policies in place to manage incidents well and had the scope to practice shared learning.

Staff provided care and treatment based on national guidance and evidence-based practice. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and recorded good outcomes for patients. Managers ensured staff were competent in their roles. Patients were given pain relief when required. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients and supported them to make decisions about their care.

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 take account of patient’s 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 long for treatment.

Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems. Staff understood the service’s vision and values and demonstrated this in their work. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They were focused on the needs of the patient receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities. The service engaged well with patients and all staff were committed to continual improvement.

Updated 23 February 2023

This was the first time we rated this service. 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 managed infection risks 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, gave patients enough to eat and drink, and gave them pain relief when they needed it. 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 seven days a week.

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 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.

The Surgical procedures that are regulated under CQC were a small proportion of hospital activity, which commenced in October 2022. The main regulated service was diagnostic services. Where arrangements were the same, we have reported findings in the diagnostic service section.

We rated this service as good because it was safe, effective, caring and responsive, and well led.