10 June 2021
During a routine inspection
This service is rated as Good overall. (Previous inspection 08 2019 – Requires improvement overall including the safe and well-led domains)
The key questions are now 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 CuRx Operational Base to follow up on breaches of regulations.
CQC inspected the service on 29 August 2019 and we identified regulations that were not being met and the provider was told they must:
- Ensure patients are protected from abuse and improper treatment
- Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.
- Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.
- Ensure recruitment procedures are established and operated effectively to ensure only fit and proper persons are employed.
There were also areas identified during the last inspection where the provider was recommended to make the following improvements:
- Review the availability of equipment in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK).
- Review the storage of cleaning materials and cleaning equipment.
- Review the audit arrangements for all sonographers including locums, to ensure an accurate sample of complex and uncomplex scan results are monitored regularly.
- An overall training matrix should be introduced to monitor staff training.
- Review the ways in which significant events are reviewed, investigated and reported.
- Review the information available to inform them that interpretation services are available for patients who did not have English as a first language.
We checked these areas as part of this comprehensive inspection and found improvements had been made to meet regulations.
During this inspection on the 10 June 2021 our key findings were:
- There was an open and transparent approach to safety and system in place to report and record incidents.
- There were established governance and monitoring systems which were effectively applied and were fully understood by staff.
- There were systems and processes in place to safeguard patients from abuse and staff were able to access relevant training to keep patients safe.
- There was an infection prevention and control policy and procedures in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.
- Effective recruitment procedures were in place and policies and procedures updated.
- Staff had access to training and system to monitor required training had been introduced.
- Clinicians assessed patients according to appropriate guidance and standards such as those issued by the Society and College of Radiographers and British Medical Ultrasound Society.
- Staff described how they respected patients’ privacy and dignity.
- Information about services and how to complain was available.
- All members of staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support patients.
- The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.
- Patient outcomes were evaluated, analysed and reviewed as part of quality improvement processes and clinical audit.
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
- Review the staff required to complete safeguarding children training.
- Revisit with all staff how and when to access the interpretation service.
- Review how verbal references are documented in staff files.
Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP
Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care