Background to this inspection
Updated
21 December 2021
The Christie Pathology Partnership (CPP) is a joint venture between a private and local NHS hospital. The Partnership operates out of the existing Christie pathology laboratories. The Christie is the largest single site specialist cancer centre in Europe. The laboratories also provide testing, screening and assay development to support The Christie’s early phase clinical trials, with around 200 trials underway at any one time.
This service is regulated to provide Diagnostic and Screening procedures, Management of blood and blood delivered products to the regional population (3.2 million) and other healthcare providers regionally and nationally. There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection.
The location has not previously been inspected.
The main services provided were:
- Biochemistry
- Haematology
- Blood Transfusion
- Stem Cell Processing
- Histopathology
- Oncology Cytogenetics
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Breast Tumour Receptors
- Bereavement and Mortuary
The Bereavement and Mortuary service was not inspected under our new methodology for medical laboratories
What people who use the service say
The annual feedback survey by service users was positive.
Updated
21 December 2021
We inspected but did not rate this service
The service did not deal directly with people who use services. In the context of this report service user refers to the clinicians' requesting tests and results.
- There were systems and processes which had achieved the internationally recognised ISO 15189 accreditation for each discipline and test that was provided.
- Staff followed infection control principles including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Staff had completed and kept up to date with their mandatory training.
- Staff were experienced, qualified and had the right skills and knowledge to meet the needs of the service. The quality of the training programme and continuous professional development were of a high standard.
- Staffing levels and skill mix were planned and reviewed so that services could always be maintained.
- Staff had the information they needed to deliver safe care and treatment to people.
- The provider ensured that the requirement set out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in relation to the provision of enough information on specimen request forms to staff in clinical diagnostic laboratories was being complied with.
- The provider managed safety incidents well. Managers investigated incidents and shared lessons learned with the whole team and the wider service. When things went wrong, staff apologised.
- Leaders, management and governance of the organisation had the skills, knowledge and experience to perform their roles, had a good understanding of the services and managed the priorities and issues the service faced. They were visible in the service and approachable for staff and service users. Staff felt respected, supported and valued.
- The service provided tests and reports based on national guidance. Managers checked to make sure staff followed guidance.
- Leaders, management and governance had the skills and abilities to assure the delivery of a quality service. They were visible to staff who said they felt supported and valued.
- The service had processes and procedures in place to support safe recruitment practice and ongoing checks
However:
- Equipment checks and cleaning undertaken by staff were not always recorded or carried out in line with service requirements.
- The provider had not submitted an updated and compliant statement of purpose to the CQC. Staff appraisals were not always carried out providing all staff at every level with the opportunity to discuss career and development they needed.
- Staff appraisals were not always carried out for all staff to provide them with the opportunity to discuss development needs and career progression.
- Safeguarding training for all staff who required it had not always been undertaken.