Hem Clinical Ultrasound Service Ltd

Updated 10 January 2022

Hem Clinical Ultrasound Service Ltd is operated by HEM Clinical Ultrasound Service Limited. The service opened in 2015.

The service provides diagnostic imaging services (non-obstetric ultrasounds) as part of a subcontract to the NHS. There has been a registered manager in post since 17 March 2015. The service primarily serves the communities of Medway, Swale and West Kent. It also accepts adult patient referrals from outside the area and private patient referrals for adults and children under 18.

Between 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021, the service undertook 11,596 NHS scans and 156 private scans.

We last inspected the service unannounced using our comprehensive inspection methodology on 25 April 2019. We rated the service as good. We stated four actions the provider should take to improve at the inspection undertaken in April 2019. Issues relating to meeting individual needs and demonstration of compliance with the hand hygiene policy were resolved.

Updated 10 January 2022

Our rating of this location stayed the same. 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 controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. The service knew how to manage safety incidents well and learn lessons from them.
• Staff provided good care and treatment. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information. Services were available to support timely patient 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 meet the needs of local people, took account of patients’ individual needs, and made it easy for people to give feedback. People accessed the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for a diagnostic procedure.
• 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.

Updated 19 August 2019

H.E.M. Clinical Ultrasound provides a diagnostic ultrasound service for NHS patients and a small number of privately funded patients. In the last 12 months the service has scanned 8019 adults and 50 children.

We rated this service as good. This is because we found there were enough staff that were trained, skilled and competent to provide the service. Safeguarding and incidents were identified and reported. The centre was clean, and the equipment well maintained. All patients had a chaperone during their scan.

Patients were overwhelmingly positive about their experience of having a scan at the centre. Patients were treated as individuals and we observed patients being treated with the upmost respect.

Managers supported staff in an open and friendly culture. All staff were positive about working for the service and felt encouraged to develop and flourish.

Updated 10 January 2022

Our rating of this service stayed the same. We rated it as good .

See the summary above for details.