27 June 2019
During a routine inspection
This service is rated as Good overall . (Previous inspection 31 July 2018 - independent healthcare services were not rated at that time).
The key questions are rated as:
Are services safe? – Good
Are services effective? – Good
Are services caring? – Good
Are services responsive? – Good
Are services well-led? – Good
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dorset Private Medical Clinic on 27 June 2019. This was a routine inspection with the purpose of rating this independent health service for the first time.
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the service was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
The services are provided to adults (18 years and above) privately and are not commissioned by the NHS. Dorset Private Medical Clinic is registered with CQC to provide the regulated activities: diagnostic and screening procedures; and treatment of disease, disorder. The types of services provided are doctors consultation service and doctors treatment service.
At the time of our inspection a registered manager was in place. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.
We received three completed CQC comment cards from patients who used the service. Feedback was very positive about the service delivered at the clinic. We were unable to speak with patients about their experience of the service they received as no clinics were taking place on the day. On the day of our visit, no one was attending for a consultation appointment regulated by CQC.
Our key findings were:
- Care and treatment was planned and delivered in response to individual needs. .
- The clinic did not have adequate equipment to respond to medical emergencies.
- Clinical rooms were clean, well-organised and had calibrated equipment.
- Clinicians assessed patients in line with current guidance and standards issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
- There was effective leadership and management of the clinic.
- Leaders facilitated ongoing training through the NHS so staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to assess and diagnose patients.
- Safe systems were in place demonstrating equipment had been serviced regularly.
- The provider was aware of, and complied with, the requirements of the Duty of Candour.
- There was an effective system for ensuring the identity of clients who attended the service.
- Risks were well-managed with measures in place to reduce these for patients and staff.
- Infection prevention and control systems reduced the risk and spread of infection.
- Information was accessible for patients and provided them with advice and guidance to promote healthy living, how to make a complaint.
- Quality improvement was evidenced and patients feedback had been acted upon.
Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP
Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care