Insta-Scan

Updated 21 July 2022

Insta-Scan is operated by NW Ultrasound Services Limited. The service first registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) since 6 May 2020. The service is registered to provide diagnostic imaging and the registered manager has been in place since registration. The registered manager is the person responsible for the service and is also the director of the provider company. The manager and the sonographer were the only members of staff employed by the service at the time of our inspection.

The service provides private ultrasound services to self-funding service users who are over the age of sixteen and more than six weeks pregnant. The scans offered by the clinic include; early pregnancy scans from six weeks gestation, reassurance and gender scans from 14 weeks and reassurance and 4D scans from 26 weeks. At the time of our inspection the service did not offer transvaginal scans or non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPTs).

Updated 21 July 2022

We rated this service as requires improvement because:

• Staff did not always collect all the information they needed to ensure they could safeguard service users.
• Staff did not always have enough time to assess risks to service users and manage safety well.
• Staff did not always provide service users with information in a way that supported them to make informed choices around consent.
• The service did not always provide reasonable adjustments to support people to engage with the service.
• The service did not always comply with General Data Protection Regulations
• The service did not always have systems and processes in place to ensure staff could perform their duties in line with policies.
• The service did not have servicing records for the ultrasound machine available at the time of the inspection.

However:

• The service-controlled infection risk well. Staff had training in key skills and understood how to recognise abuse.
• Staff provided evidence-based care and treatment. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of service users and understood the need to gain consent.
• Staff treated service users with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their pregnancy. They provided emotional support to service users, families and carers.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of local people and 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 appointments.
• Leaders developed a vision and values for the service and applied them in their work. They were focused on the needs of service users receiving care. They were clear about their roles and accountabilities. The service engaged well with service users and the community to plan and manage services and were committed to continually improving services.

Updated 21 July 2022

See overall summary.