Updated 11 February 2022
Cheshire West and Chester Sexual Health Service is commissioned by the local authority to provide sexual health services to the people in the Cheshire West and Chester area. The service is based in The Fountains Health Centre in the centre of Chester.
The building is shared with other healthcare providers including NHS GPs, a dentist, pharmacy and other community health services. Services are provided at other spoke services across the area, but this had been restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of inspection services were also provided from Stanney Lane Clinic in Ellesmere Port, Dene Drive Primary Care Centre in Winsford, and Watling GP Centre in Northwich. A further spoke site at Blacon Children's Centre in Blacon was due to open on the 2 December 2021. The main Fountains site had a laboratory for clinical staff to examine samples for infections (microscopy). The four spoke services could provide the same services as the main site, except for microscopy as they did not have direct access to the laboratory.
Cheshire West and Chester Sexual Health Service provides a range of sexual health services which includes contraception and assessment and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. HIV services are provided in conjunction with an NHS trust, as is a sessional vasectomy service provided from The Fountains site. Outreach services are contracted to a voluntary organisation, and overseen by the provider.
The service has had a registered manager since registration. The service is registered to provide the regulated activities: treatment of disease, disorder or injury; diagnostic and screening procedures; family planning services; surgical procedures; and transport services, triage and medical advice provided remotely.
Cheshire West and Chester Sexual Health Service was registered on the 5 April 2019. The service was provided by Virgin Care Services Limited until the 30 November 2021. The provider changed to HCRG Care Services Ltd from the 1 December 2021.
This is the first inspection of this service since registration with CQC.