This service is rated as Good overall. We have not previously inspected this location.
The key questions are rated as:
Are services safe? – Good
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 Harley Street Skin as part of our inspection programme. Harley Street Skin provides a range of medical and cosmetic treatments including private consultations, minor surgical procedures under local anaesthetic and prescribing of medicines in relation to the treatment of skin disorders, such as acne.
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. Harley Street Skin provides a range of non-surgical cosmetic interventions, for example Botox injections which are not within CQC scope of registration. Therefore, we did not inspect or report on these services.
We received comment cards feedback from nine patients during our inspection – all of which were positive about the quality of care received.
Our key findings were:
•The service had good systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When they did happen, the service learned from them and improved their processes.
•Quality improvement activity (such as clinical audit) supported the delivery of safe and patient centred care.
•Staff involved and treated people with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
•Patients could access care and treatment from the service within an appropriate timescale for their needs.
•Governance arrangements supported the delivery of high quality and patient-led care.
We saw the following outstanding practice:
The lead doctor had established a charity working with injured servicemen and women, particularly in the field of skin injuries: providing free cosmetic surgery and laser treatments for those with shrapnel wounds, blast injuries and burns, so as to help rebuild lives.
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
•Undertake medicines audits to ensure prescribing patterns continue to be safe and appropriate.
•Continue to undertake clinical audit, so as to drive positive outcomes for patients.
Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP
Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care