The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • Independent doctor

Vision of Hope

Overall: Requires improvement read more about inspection ratings

332a Dyke Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 5BB (01273) 232779

Provided and run by:
Vision of Hope Clinic Limited

Important:

We served a warning notice on Vision of Hope Clinic Limited on 18 August 2026 for failing to meet the regulations as it was not delivering its service in a safe environment and not managing medicines safely.

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

Date of Assessment: 30 June 2026. Vision of Hope is an independent service providing consultations with the doctor who provides the service. The service aims to provide holistic support and associated complementary treatments for adults, most of whom have been diagnosed with cancer. Consultations are held remotely but treatments can be provided from a treatment room at the location address. People can access the service on a fee-paying basis only. The service is open from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday.

This was a comprehensive assessment. We undertook this assessment due to the length of time since our last assessment. This assessment considered the demographics of the people using the service, the context the service was working in and how this impacted service delivery. Where relevant, further commentary is provided in the quality statements section of this report.

We found gaps in systems to maintain safety. The service did not always learn from safety events and there were gaps in risk assessments to cover environmental risks including fire safety. The facilities and equipment were not always safely maintained, with failings in infection, prevention and control procedures. The provider had relevant skills, qualifications and experience but there was no clear policy governing required training and the provider was not up to date with safeguarding training. Prescriptions did not always include all relevant information, and some medicine was not being stored safely. However, the service had a system in place to receive and review national safety alerts.

People were involved in assessments of their needs. The service took account of people’s communication, personal and health needs. The service included written consent forms completed by people using the service although these were not sufficiently specific. There was no auditing of outcomes or other measures of performance.

People were treated with kindness and compassion. The provider treated them as individuals and supported their preferences. People had choice in their care and treatment.

People were involved in decisions about their care. The service provided information people could understand although the website required updating. People knew how to give feedback and were confident the service took it seriously and acted on it. The service was easy to access and worked to eliminate discrimination.

The provider had a vision for the service but there were gaps in governance and failures to identify and act on risk. Most policies were overdue for review and had last been reviewed in 2019. The service kept paper medical records securely but did not provide us with assurance about the security of digital systems.

We found breaches of regulation in relation to safe care and treatment. We have issued an enforcement notice against the provider instructing them to improve. Additionally, we found breaches of regulation in relation to good governance.We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

3 January 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We inspected the Vision of Hope on the 26/09/2013 and found that improvements to the service were required in order to demonstrate compliance with the regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. The Registered Manager submitted an action plan to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) with a completion date of November 2013. When we carried out our last inspection, we spoke with people who used the service, who told us they were very happy with the service provided at the Vision of Hope. This inspection specifically focused on the clinics ability to demonstrate compliance in four areas of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 that were non-compliant in our last report.

The provider had taken appropriate steps to reduce the risk of people receiving unsafe or inappropriate care, treatment or support by having arrangements in place to deal with foreseeable emergencies.

We found that appropriate steps had been taken to ensure that the risk of acquiring a health care associated infection had been reduced.

Staff had received safeguarding of vulnerable adults training, and had easy access to the local safeguarding team.

The provider had completed Disclosure and Barring Service checks on all the staff employed at the clinic.

26 September 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service, a relative, one staff member and the registered manager. The provider is also the registered manager and lead clinician of the service and for the purpose of the report will be referred to as the manager.

The people we spoke with told us they were happy with the care they had received at the Vision on Hope and with the staff team. One person who used the service told us "It's brilliant, I'm very happy with the service". Another person told us, 'It's a really good service and I have no criticisms'. Staff told us they felt the quality of care delivered was of a good standard.

We found the people who use the service had consented to all treatments they chose. All the people we spoke with told us they had signed a valid consent form.

People were made aware of the requirements for them to pay for their care, treatment and support and the expected costs. This was confirmed by the conversations we had with people.

We found care records were very detailed and fit for purpose. Each file contained extensive evidence that people had been involved in the planning of their care and treatment.

We found that the people who use this service were not protected from the risk of abuse. Safeguarding training had not been completed by clinic staff and there was no adult safeguarding policy in place.

We found that people were not protected from the risk of acquiring a health related infection.

We also found that the clinic had not completed the necessary checks relating to workers.

The provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people received.

18 March 2013

During a routine inspection

People who used the service described it as "fantastic" and motivational. They said they had researched their condition and "Vision of Hope" was highly recommended both by word of mouth and alternative therapists. The people we spoke with said that the treatments really helped them. They said they felt very much part of decision making. They said they could not fault the service they received.

We found that people were given adequate information about treatments, risks and benefits involved and any alternatives available to them.

We found that there were a range of guidelines in place to keep staff and people using the service safe, however many of them had not been reviewed for 6 years. We found that there was no safeguarding guidance/policy in place. This meant that people using the service were not kept safe from abuse.

We found that people's views and comments were encouraged and that service improvements had been made as a result

3, 15 February 2012

During a routine inspection

When we spoke to patients at the clinic we were told that they were given care in a dignified manner and treated with courtesy and respect at all times. They said they were advised and supported when being given options and were encouraged to participate in making decisions relating to their care and treatment paths.

One patient told us that at a time of her life when she was very stressed the clinic restored her confidence and hope and helped her take control of her illness. Another patient said 'everything is always explained to me and I feel confident about asking anything'.

Patients said they were reassured that they were being treated in surroundings that were safe and well maintained. Medication was explained fully to them and they were made aware of any research findings, side effects or adverse reactions.

Patient surveys reflected that patients found the service to be excellent. One patient remarked that 'my treatment report was very informative and contained excellent advice thank you'. Another comment simply stated 'Thank you for your wonderful care".