• Doctor
  • Independent doctor

Nuffield Health Canary Wharf Medical Centre

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9SH (020) 7068 6750

Provided and run by:
Nuffield Health

All Inspections

6 July 2023

During a monthly review of our data

We carried out a review of the data available to us about Nuffield Health Canary Wharf Medical Centre on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.

This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.

If you have concerns about Nuffield Health Canary Wharf Medical Centre, you can give feedback on this service.

17 September 2019

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Nuffield Health Canary Wharf Medical Centre as part of our inspection programme.

Nuffield Health Canary Wharf Medical Centre provides independent doctors GP services and treatment; comprehensive health and wellbeing screening services and travel vaccinations. Most clients receive Nuffield medical care and health assessments through their employers who are members of the Nuffield Health Scheme. The majority of service users receive their day to day health care from an NHS GP service. The general public occasionally access the service.

Clinical care and treatment is provided by doctors, most of whom also work in the public sector. The service has developed the role of ‘physiologists’. Physiologists employed are clinical staff with a relevant science university degree who then undertake a number of intensive clinical courses which qualifies them to be registered as a Clinical Physiologist.

Physiologists conduct the comprehensive health checks, including venepuncture for blood tests, and provide talking therapies and lifestyle coaching. Physiologists do not prescribe medicines or make clinical diagnosis.

At Nuffield Health Canary Wharf a duty doctor is available on site or on call. Nuffield Health Canary Wharf Medical Centre also employs a dedicated laboratory technician responsible for analysing blood and other clinical samples.

This service is registered with CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of some, but not all, of the services it provides. There are some exemptions from regulation by CQC which relate to particular types of regulated activities and services and these are set out in and of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Nuffield Health Canary Wharf Medical Centre provides a range of interventions, for example physiotherapy, psychotherapy and nutritionists which are not within CQC scope of registration. Therefore, we did not inspect or report on these services.

The general manager of the service is the registered manager. 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.

Nuffield Health Canary Wharf Medical Centre service users completed 30 Care Quality Commission feedback cards. There were no negative comments or suggestions for improvement in any cards. Comments indicated that staff were caring, treatment and support was person centred, service users trusted the opinion of the clinicians they met, the environment and facilities were clean and people felt all their needs were met.

Our key findings were:

  • Processes and systems were in place and understood by staff which would keep people safe from abuse and avoidable harm.
  • Processes in place for reporting and learning from incidents were robust, ensuring that lessons were learnt, shared with staff and appropriate changes made to reduce the risk of reoccurrence. This was at both the local and organisational levels.
  • There were reliable systems in place to protect people from unsafe premises and equipment.
  • The initial electronic health assessment provided a safety net for new clients who maybe experiencing suicidal thoughts.
  • All health care assessments, treatment and advice were based on best practice guidance and the findings of the most appropriate up to date, evidence-based recommendations.
  • Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles effectively. However, cervical smear sample takers did not complete the additional training and refresher course recommended in best practice guidance and not all staff had completed appropriate training or guidance for dealing with sepsis, for example reception staff had not completed training available through the Royal College of GP website.
  • The provider ensured that 1% of medical records were peer reviewed annually.
  • Patients were treated with respect and dignity and their privacy was respected. and Information was provided to ensure patients made informed choices about their care and treatment.
  • The service was developing links with a school to promote healthy lifestyles and wellbeing.
  • There were clear and accessible complaints policies and procedures, and complaints were openly investigated and dealt with impartially.
  • Leadership and management roles `were well defined and staff knew who to go to for advice and support. A comprehensive major incident plan was in place and staff had completed specific training.
  • Health and safety protocols were well managed and treated seriously. Following emergency drills the provider ensured lessons learnt were shared and improvements made, if required.
  • Governance arrangements included reviewing and acting on the experiences of people who used the service and reviewing the satisfaction of staff and other stakeholders.
  • The registered manager used processes in place to promote effective communication between the local service and the Nuffield Health head office.
  • The leadership at Nuffield Canary Wharf Medical Centre was conversant with the providers vision and strategy and ensured this was understood and subscribed to by all staff.
  • The registered manager, medical, clinical and estate staff demonstrated integrity, a learning culture and openness at the local level.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

  • Review training for physiologists and reception staff to include recognising sepsis and display a sepsis flow chart for staff at the reception desk.
  • Review best practice guidance and consider additional training and updating for cervical screening sample takers.

Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGPChief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care

12 June 2018

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 12 June 2018 to ask the service the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this service was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this service was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this service was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this service was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this service was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

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.

Nuffield Health Canary Wharf Medical Centre provides health assessments (for patients aged 18 and over) that include a range of screening processes. Following the assessment and screening process clients undergo a consultation with a doctor to discuss the findings and any recommended lifestyle changes or treatment planning. The centre also provides private GP services.

The service is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) under the Health and Social Care Act

2008 in respect of some, but not all, of the services it provides. For example, physiotherapy and lifestyle coaching do not fall within the regulated activities for which the location is registered with CQC.

The General Manager is the registered manager. 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.

Nuffield Health Canary Wharf Medical Centre is registered to conduct the following regulated activities under the Health and Social Care Act 2008:-

  • Treatment of disease, disorder and injury
  • Diagnostic and screening procedures

Prior to our visit, the service was provided with feedback cards for their customers to complete with their views about the service by completing comments cards. We received 27 feedback cards, all of which indicated that clients were happy with care provided at the service.

Our key findings were:

  • The service had clear systems to keep people safe and safeguarded from abuse. Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents and near misses.
  • A system was in place for reporting, investigating and learning from significant events and incidents.
  • Systems were in place to deal with medical emergencies and staff were trained in basic life support.
  • There were systems in place to reduce risks to client safety. For example, infection control practices were carried out appropriately and there were regular checks on the environment and equipment used.
  • Staff assessed clients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance.
  • Feedback from clients about the care and treatment they received was very positive.
  • Clients were treated with dignity and respect and they were involved in decisions about their care and treatment.
  • Clients were treated in line with best practice guidance and appropriate medical records were maintained.
  • Clients were provided with information about their health and with advice and guidance to support them to live healthier lives.
  • Systems were in place to protect personal information about clients.
  • There was a clear leadership and staff structure and staff understood their roles and responsibilities.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

14 February 2014

During a routine inspection

As part of this inspection we were able to speak with one person using the service. The person who spoke with us told us they were satisfied with their health assessment. They told us, "everything was pretty much flawless. I would score this place definitely ten out of ten. Staff were very helpful and provided me with all the information."

People were asked for their consent before they received care and treatment and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes. People experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs. Their care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual assessment.

People's needs were assessed and a detailed medical history was taken from each person and discussed prior to their healthcare assessment or treatment. Treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual plan.

People were protected from the risk of infection because appropriate guidance had been followed. People were cared for in a clean, hygienic environment.

There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs.

The provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people receive.

28 December 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke with two people during this inspection and also looked at the service's most recent patient satisfaction survey results. Both people told us they were treated in a respectful manner and offered choices regarding their treatments. One person using the service told us 'although this annual health screening is part of my employment contract, I really enjoy coming here. All of the staff are so polite and welcoming." Both people said they were seen punctually and they were pleased with the informative and thorough approach of staff during their consultations. One person said they had been to the service before and they had been impressed with the detailed written report sent to them soon after their health screening.

The treatment areas were clean, spacious and well equipped, including facilities to promote people's privacy and dignity. All of the staff had attended life support training and knew what to do in the event of a medical emergency.

Both people we spoke with told us they felt safe with the staff. There were appropriate policies and procedures for safeguarding people and staff were able to explain how they protected people.

Staff received regular training and supervision, and there were opportunities for professional development.

People using the service told us they had been provided with written information about how to make a complaint. The service evidenced that any complaints were dealt with in a professional and timely manner.