This service is rated as Good overall.
A previous inspection was carried out at The Hand to Elbow Clinic on 14 November 2012 when we inspected the provision of private doctor consultation and treatment services. At that time, we did not rate the service but found the provider had met the requirements of the key questions for providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led care.
We carried out this comprehensive inspection at The Hand to Elbow Clinic on 30 August 2019 and 5 September 2019 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This announced inspection was planned to check whether the service was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and to check that the provider had maintained the standards we saw at our last inspection.
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
The service has a registered manager. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’ who have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The service is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide the regulated activities diagnostic and screening procedures, surgical procedures and treatment of disease, disorder or injury.
Our key findings were:
- The service had systems in place to manage significant events.
- The provider had a clear vision to deliver high quality care for patients.
- There were clearly defined systems, processes and practices to minimise risks to patient safety.
- Staff had been trained in areas relevant to their role.
- The service had systems in place for monitoring and auditing the care that had been provided.
- The clinicians assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence-based guidance.
- Information about services provided was available and easy to understand.
- The clinicians had the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment.
- There was an effective system in place for obtaining patients’ consent.
- The service had systems and processes in place to ensure that patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in decisions about their care and treatment.
- The service had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
- The service was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.
Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP
Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care