Azthetics

This service is rated as Good overall. The service was registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in July 2021 and this is the first inspection since registration.

The key questions are rated as:

Are services safe? – Requires improvement

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 Azthetics as part of our planned inspection programme.

Azthetics is a doctor-led aesthetics clinic offering a range of cosmetic treatments including dermal fillers, fat dissolving injections, laser hair removal, tattoo removal, acne treatments, intravenous vitamin supplements and other facial and body aesthetic cosmetic treatments. This service is registered with CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of some, but not all, of the services it provides. There are some exemptions from regulation by CQC which relate to particular types of regulated activities and services and these are set out in Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Azthetics provides a range of non-surgical cosmetic interventions, for example Botox injections that are not medical treatments, are not within CQC scope of registration. Therefore, we did not inspect or report on these services.

The co-director is the registered manager. 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.

Our key findings were:

• The service provided treatment in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm. However, the service had not fulfilled its duty for ensuring fit and proper persons were employed in line with legal requirements.
• Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
• Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
• Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
• The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centre care.

We found breach of Regulation 19 Fit and proper perosns employed. The provider must:

• Ensure recruitment procedures are established and operated effectively to ensure only fit and proper persons are employed.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Review the patient consent process and document appropriately in line with current guidance.
• Review arrangements to allow for reasonable adjustments to be made for patients who might need additional support to access the services.

Dr Sean O’Kelly BSc MB ChB MSc DCH FRCA

Chief Inspector of Hospitals and Interim Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services