Sidcup MRI

Updated 28 November 2018

Alliance Medical Limited provide imaging technologies to improve patient care and support NHS and independent sector organisations with on-going imaging requirements.

Sidcup MRI is operated by Alliance Medical Limited. The service opened in 1998 but was taken over by Alliance Medical Limited in 2006. The unit provides a wide range of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations to NHS and private patients. The unit is located within the grounds of Queen Mary’s Hospital Sidcup, which is an NHS hospital. NHS patients are referred from three local NHS trusts through a contract directly with Alliance Medical Limited. The unit is registered with the CQC to undertake the regulated activity of diagnostic imaging.

The unit has had a registered manager in post since April 2014.

Updated 28 November 2018

Sidcup MRI is operated by Alliance Medical Limited. The service provides Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) diagnostic services for children and adults.

We inspected the MRI diagnostic facilities for children, young people and adults using our comprehensive inspection methodology. We carried out the unannounced part of the inspection on 07 September 2018 along with a follow up visit on 18 September 2018.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we ask the same five questions of all services: are they safe, effective, caring, responsive to people's needs, and well-led? Where we have a legal duty to do so we rate services’ performance against each key question as outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

Throughout the inspection, we took account of what people told us and how the provider understood and complied with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

The main service provided by this hospital was MRI scanning.

Services we rate

We rated it as good.

We found good practice in relation to diagnostic imaging:

• There were effective systems in use to keep people protected from avoidable harm. Staff were provided with safety related training, including safeguarding vulnerable people. The staff had access to professional guidance, policies and procedures to support their work.
• There were sufficient numbers of staff with the necessary skill, experience and qualifications to meet patients’ needs. Staff had access to additional development opportunities identified through their performance reviews.
• Equipment was maintained and serviced in line with expectations and medicines were managed safely. The environment was suitable, accessible and visibly clean. Staff followed infection prevention and control practices.
• Patient records and scans were complete, up to date and stored securely to avoid unauthorised access. Referral to scan times and scan to reporting times were within the agreed protocols and expected ranges.
• The staff worked well with both internal and external colleagues to ensure the delivery of a responsive service. Appointments were available at times convenient to patients including evening, weekends and at short notice. Staff considered the individual needs of patients using the service and were kind and caring towards them, respecting their dignity and emotional needs.
• The service had received only one complaint but acted on the feedback from patients and staff to constantly improve the service.
• The senior team had the right skills and experience to lead. They were supportive and led by example. Staff understood the vision and values of the service and the culture was positive, with staff showing pride in their work. Performance outcomes and risks were monitored and acted upon. Staff recognised and valued the importance of learning and continuous improvement.

However, we also found the following issue that the service should seek to improve

• The way the service maintained its mandatory training records did not reflect the level of completion of the staff who were actively working within the service.

Nigel Acheson

Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals (London)

Updated 28 November 2018

We rated diagnostic imaging as good. This was because there were sufficient staff with the required skills and experience to provide the service. The service was provided in line with the national guidance and diagnostic reference guide.

Staff provided care in a compassionate way and their feedback was positive. Patients could access the service when needed and their individual needs were recognised and cared for. We saw strong leadership and governance of the service, and staff spoke positively about the culture of the service, and the organisation.