Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We rated this service as Good overall.
Previous inspection 29 November 2018, when we found the provider was meeting the relevant standards.
The key questions are 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 Vantage Diagnostics Headquarters on 6 August 2019 as part of our current inspection programme. We previously inspected this service on 29 November 2018 using our previous methodology, when we found the service was compliant with the relevant regulations. At that inspection, we did not apply ratings.
The Vantage Diagnostics Ltd (the provider) offers an online dermatology consultancy triaging service (known as “teledermatology”) to general practitioners using digital photography and dermoscopy. The service allows GPs to submit photographs of rashes and lesions remotely for review by consultant dermatologists, who provide the GPs with a report including diagnosis, triage and treatment advice. Clinical responsibility for patients’ healthcare remains with their GPs. The service is not provided directly to patients and does not involve prescribing any medicines. At present the service is provided only to the West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
The provider’s Clinical Liaison and Transformation Director is the registered manager for the service. 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.
At this inspection we found:
- Risks were assessed and action taken to mitigate any risks identified. Arrangements were in place to safeguard people.
- Suitable numbers of staff were employed and appropriately recruited. Staff received the appropriate training to carry out their role.
- The provider carried out checks to ensure reviews met the expected service standards. A range of information, including clinical audit, was used to monitor and improve the quality and performance of the service.
- The provider did not have any direct patient contact, but it took account of the views of the commissioning CCG and participating GPs in delivering services. Patients’ consent was required before reviews were accepted by the service’s IT system. Patient information was held securely. Information was appropriately shared with a patient’s own GP in line with GMC guidance.
- Information about how to complain was available and complaints were handled appropriately.
- The provider had clear leadership and governance structures.
Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP
Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care