DaVita (UK) Ltd - Alnwick

Updated 5 December 2022

DaVita (UK) Ltd - Alnwick was previously known as Renal Services (UK) Ltd – Alnwick and at the time of inspection was operated by Renal Services (UK) Limited. The service opened in February 2015. It is a private clinic in Alnwick. The service is commissioned by a local NHS trust for the provision of outpatient renal dialysis to their patients in the Northumberland area. The service had been inspected in July 2017 but had not received a rating from the previous inspection.

The service had six dialysis stations and offered two appointment slots over six days of the week.

The service had a registered manager in post.

The services registered with Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide the following regulated activities:

• Treatment of disease, disorder or injury.

Updated 5 December 2022

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 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 to suit patients' needs.
• 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 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.

However:

• Medicines were not always managed well. Some medicines were not securely stored or recorded. Fridge temperatures were not within range and action had not previously been taken when this had been identified. Storage of acid concentrate was found in the service corridor and was not stored securely on the day of our inspection.
• Call bells were not always in reach of patients.

Updated 5 December 2022

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 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 to suit patients' needs.
• 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 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.

However:

• Medicines were not always managed well. Some medicines were not securely stored or recorded. Fridge temperatures were not within range and action had not previously been taken when this had been identified. Storage of acid concentrate was found in the service corridor and was not stored securely on the day of our inspection.
• Call bells were not always in reach of patients.

We rated this service as good because it was effective, caring, responsive and well-led, although safety requires improvement.