Braintree Community Hospital

Updated 16 September 2022

Braintree Community Hospital endoscopy service is operated by InHealth Endoscopy Limited. The service is part of an independent sector provider delivering primarily NHS commissioned services. It provides endoscopy services for adults and serves a diverse community from across mid Essex.

The unit has two preparation rooms, one consultation room, one procedure room, three single recovery bays and a seated discharge area.

The service is commissioned to provide colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy and gastroscopy for routine referrals.

The service had a clinical lead endoscopist, three endoscopists, four registered nurses, five healthcare support workers and one administrative staff member.

The service provides appointments from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday.

In the reporting period from May 2021 to June 2022, the service provided the following procedures:

• 1,426 colonoscopy
• 418 flexible sigmoidoscopy
• 1,940 gastroscopy

The service has had a registered manager in post since May 2020 and is registered to provide the following regulated activities:

• Diagnostic and screening procedures

Updated 16 September 2022

We rated this service 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, 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.
• 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, their 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 to plan and manage services and all staff were committed to improving services continually.

Updated 16 September 2022

This was the first time we had rated this service. We rated it as good. See the overall summary for details.

We rated this service as good because it was safe, caring, responsive and well led. We do not rate effective for independent endoscopy services.