- Independent doctor
Archived: Central Medical Solutions
Assessment report published 18 February 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
We carried out an announced comprehensive assessment of Central Medical Solutions Ltd remotely during several dates between 5 August and 27 October. This assessment was carried out in response to stakeholder feedback and due to the service not being inspected since registering with the CQC, in April 2021.
Central Medical Solutions Ltd is an online provider at scale that delivers clinical care remotely. Weight‑loss treatment is provided to people aged 18 and over, and dermatology and other non‑urgent treatment is provided to people aged 16 and over.
People are introduced and mostly interact with the provider via its two partner website portals, under the following brands: MedExpress -www.medexpress.co.uk and Dermatica - www.dermatica.co.uk.
Central Medical Solutions Ltd is registered to provide the regulated activity treatment of disease, disorder or injury. Although its registered location is 87a Worship Street, Shoreditch, London EC2A 2BE. Services are provided exclusively remotely. At the time of our inspection, there were no physical premises where consultations could take place.
The service staff team consists of a clinical team (Doctors, Pharmacists, and Nurses) and a Non-Clinical Management and Administration team. Customer Support is provided via a separate organisation, supporting people enquiring or using the service and facilitating communication between people and clinicians.
One of the provider’s service managers had made an application to become the provider’s CQC Registered Manager. A Registered Manager is a person 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 runs.
Where relevant, further commentary is provided in the quality statements section of this report.
SAFE: The service had a good learning culture and people could raise concerns. Managers investigated incidents thoroughly. People were protected and kept safe. Staff understood and managed risks. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience. Managers made sure staff received training and regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care. Staff managed medicines well and involved people in planning any changes.
EFFECTIVE: People were involved in assessments of their needs. Care was based on latest evidence and good practice, and bespoke care was offered, where appropriate. Staff worked with agencies involved in people’s care and had improved its systems for continuity of care between services. Peoples personal and health needs were met. Information was provided to enable people to understand their care and treatment and give informed consent.
CARING: People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. They treated them as individuals and supported their preferences. People had choice in their care and treatment. The service supported staff wellbeing.
RESPONSIVE: People were involved in decisions about their care. The service was developing plans to improve some arrangements to ensure people’s equitable access and understanding of their care. People knew how to give feedback and were confident the service took it seriously and acted on it. People were involved in planning their care.
WELL-LED: Leaders and staff had a shared vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable, and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Managers worked with their patient community and subject matter expert and and peers to deliver the best possible care, and they were receptive to new ideas. There was a culture of continuous improvement with staff given time and resources to try new ideas.
People's experience of this service
People were positive about the quality of their care and treatment. Recent online survey results showed people were satisfied with services.
There were appropriate processes in place to capture feedback provided by people using the service. For example, the service reviewed people’s feedback collected through third party online consumer review platforms and their experiences whilst using the service. Patients who left feedback had a positive experience using the service.