Synnovis Group LLP - Princess Royal University Hospital

Updated 30 December 2021

Located within the premises of an NHS hospital, the medical laboratory is operated by Viapath LLP and provides microbiology, clinical biochemistry, blood transfusion, cytology, haematology and histology services under contract with the trust.

The service had a registered manager in post since establishment in 2016 and is registered with the CQC to provide the regulated activity:

• Diagnostic and screening procedures, which includes the use of equipment to examine cells, tissues and other body fluids for the purpose of obtaining information on the causes and extent of a disease, disorder or injury.

The service had not been inspected by the CQC previously.

Some aspects of medical laboratory work is either out of the scope of our regulations or governed by other organisations. These activities included the blood bank, Covid-19 testing for hospital staff and testing for research programmes. These aspects were not inspected.

Laboratory tests funded by the NHS must be accredited against a set of standards called ISO 15189. The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is recognised by the Government as the sole national accreditation body and once tests are accredited, there are annual surveillance activities and full re-assessment every4th year. The service is currently undergoing assessment and these aspects were not inspected.

In addition, all laboratories must participate in an external quality assurance (EQA) scheme that advises providers of their quality assurance results and how their results compare with other laboratories. Quality checks are completed monthly by an external source and the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) maintains oversight of EQA schemes in the UK. This aspect of the service was not inspected.

Updated 30 December 2021

We did not rate this service, as we do not have the legal power to rate independent laboratories.

Our inspection looked at four key aspects: was the service safe, effective, responsive and well led? We did not include caring as the service had no interaction with patients:

• The service had staff with the right qualifications, skills, training and experience. The service controlled infection risks well. Areas and equipment within the laboratory were clean and well-maintained. The design, maintenance and use of facilities, premises and equipment kept people safe. There was a system to report safety incidents and staff knew how to report near misses.
• Staff completed risk assessments for each test carried out. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. The laboratory provided services based on national guidance and evidence-based practice. Staff worked well together and with their partners for the benefit of patients and the service. The service was available seven days a week.
• The laboratory planned and provided a service in a way that met the needs of referring clinicians. These clinicians could access the service when they needed it and received laboratory results promptly. User feedback was gathered and monitored at monthly engagement meetings with clinicians and external partners.
• Leaders had the skills and abilities to run the service and were visible and approachable. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities. Leaders and teams used systems to manage performance effectively.
• 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 were focused on the quality and reliability of testing to help meet patients’ needs.

However:

• We found boxed consumables stored directly on floors in storage and laboratory areas. This degraded the effectiveness of environmental cleaning. We accept the issue had already been identified and logged on the corporate risk register for monitoring and action.

Updated 30 December 2021

We did not rate this service. This is because the CQC does not apply a rating to independent laboratory services.