This service is rated as
Good
overall. This is the services first inspection since the implementation of the Health and Social Care Action 2014 regulations. The service received an inspection in 2014 under the previous format and deemed to meet the standards of which it was inspected against.
The key questions are rated as:
Are services safe? – Requires improvement
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 Bristol Urology Associates. We inspected this service as part of our inspection programme.
Bristol Urology Associates provides a comprehensive range of private urology services. They offer specialist assessment and treatment for general urological conditions including cancer and minor investigations, for example, cystoscopy (examination of the bladder and urethra using a cystoscope, tube-like instrument with a lens or a light for viewing), trans-rectal ultrasound, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test (a blood test used to screen for prostate cancer) and urinary flow measurement (a diagnostic test assessing how well the urinary track functions).
There was no registered manager in place at the time of the inspection, however, the provider was in the process of registering one of the consultants for this role. 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.
Our key findings were:
- We could not be assured that the service provided care and treatment in a way that kept people safe and protected them from avoidable harm at all times.
- Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
- Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decision about their care.
- Patients could access care and treatment in in a timely way.
- The way the service was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care.
However we found no breaches of regulations the areas where the provider should make improvements are:
- Continue to ensure staff training is completed in line with the national guidelines.
- Embed processes to assess risks to health and safety for staff and service users.
- Create a fire risk assessment in accordance with the service’s fire policy.
- Create a risk assessment for the decision to not store oxygen on the premises.
Dr Sean O’Kelly BSc MB ChB MSc DCH FRCA
Chief Inspector of Hospitals and Interim Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services