SpaMedica Skelmersdale

Updated 29 April 2022

SpaMedica Skelmersdale is operated by SpaMedica Ltd and has been open since 2018. The hospital carries out day case cataract surgery, using local anaesthetic. It is commissioned to provide this for NHS patients. They also carry out yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) laser treatments and acute macular degeneration (AMD) services, where there is a requirement for fixed treatment appointments. They have a small number of private patients.

The hospital is located in the centre of Skelmersdale in an office block with onsite parking.

SpaMedica Skelmersdale is registered to provide the following regulated activities:

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

The location has a registered manager who has been in post since April 2021.

The hospital does not treat anyone under 18 years old. They are registered to provide services to older people and younger adults.

There were no special reviews or investigations of the hospital ongoing by the CQC at any time during the 12 months before this inspection.

There has been one never event in August 2020 and one serious injury in November 2021.

There have been no incidents of hospital acquired infections or surgical site infections in the last 12 months.

The main service provided by this hospital was surgery.

This location has not been previously inspected.

Updated 29 April 2022

We have not previously rated this location. We rated it as outstanding because:

• The service had enough staff to care for patients and keep them safe. Staff had training in key skills, understood how to protect patients from abuse, and managed safety well. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. They managed medicines well. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them.
• Staff provided good care and treatment. Outcomes for patients were consistently better than expected when compared with other similar services. Staff gave patients pain relief when they needed it. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and opportunities to participate in benchmarking were actively pursued. The service recognised the importance of continuing development of staff skill, competence and knowledge as integral to ensuring safe care. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients and supported them to make decisions about their care and had access to good information.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. They provided emotional support to patients, families and carers. Feedback from patients was continually positive.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of local people with innovative approaches to providing person-centred pathways. People’s individual needs and preferences were central to the delivery of tailored services. The service made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for treatment.
• 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 felt respected, supported and valued. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities. The service engaged well with patients and the community to plan and manage services and all staff were committed to improving services continually.

Updated 29 April 2022

We have not previously rated this service. We rated it as outstanding. See the summary above for details.