Wessex Skin

Ratings

• Overall

  Good

• Safe

  Good

• Effective

  Good

• Caring

  Good

• Responsive

  Good

• Well-led

  Good

Our view of the service

Date of Assessment: 17 August to 19 August 2026. Wessex Skin is a private independent clinic located in Winchester. This is the service’s first assessment since their registration with CQC in June 2021. This service is registered with the CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of some, but not all, of the services it provides. There are some general exemptions from regulation by CQC which relate to particular types of service, and these are set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, such as laser and cosmetic treatments. The services provided at this location, which are in scope, include treatment for excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), treatment for acne and rosacea, removal of benign lesions and moles, and consultations relating to these conditions.

The service is open Monday from 10am to 2pm, Tuesday to Thursday from 9am to 5.30pm, and Friday from 9am to 6pm. This service is not required to provide an out-of-hours service.

The service had a good learning culture and people could raise concerns. Leaders investigated incidents thoroughly. People were protected and kept safe. Staff understood and managed risks. The facilities and equipment met the needs of people, were clean and well-maintained and any risks mitigated. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience. Leaders made sure staff received training and regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care.

People were involved in assessments of their needs. Staff reviewed assessments taking account of people’s communication, personal and health needs. Care was based on latest evidence and good practice. Staff worked with all agencies involved in people’s care for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving services. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent.

People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. Staff treated people as individuals and supported their preferences. People had choice in their care and treatment. The service supported staff wellbeing.

People were involved in decisions about their care. The service provided information people could understand. 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. People received fair and equal care and treatment. The service worked to reduce health and care inequalities through training and feedback. People were involved in planning their care and understood options around choosing to withdraw or not receive care.

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. 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 survey results collected by the service showed people were satisfied with services. As part of this assessment, the CQC received 8 direct feedback submissions from people who used the service through the ‘Give Feedback on Care’ online form, and all were positive. People praised the friendliness and helpfulness of both clinical and reception staff. Other recurring themes included the cleanliness of the clinic, the efficient management of appointments, and high levels of trust in the service, with several people reporting they had attended the clinic for many years.