The Newcastle Clinic

Ratings

• Overall

  Inadequate

• Safe

  Inadequate

• Effective

  Requires improvement

• Caring

  Requires improvement

• Responsive

  Requires improvement

• Well-led

  Inadequate

Our view of the service

The Newcastle Clinic is operated by Newcastle Clinic Ltd. The service is based in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear and provides diagnostic imaging referrals from NHS trusts, GP’s and private referrals from consultants.

The service provides an open MRI scanner which is more suitable for patients who are claustrophobic, have a higher BMI or have difficulty in tolerating a conventional scanner. The service also offers Ultrasound, Image Intensifier screening and facet joint injection for pain relief.

We commenced a responsive assessment on 7 May 2025 because of concerns from staff and people who used the service. We undertook this unannounced assessment of The Newcastle Clinic on 28 and 29 May 2025. During the assessment, we spoke with staff, leaders, people who use the service and service partners. We looked at care records, policies and other documents relating to the service. We assessed 32 quality statements from our Single Assessment Framework across all key questions.

We rated the location as Inadequate. At this assessment we identified 7 breaches of regulations relating to safe care and treatment, safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment, premises and equipment, receiving and acting on complaints, good governance, staffing and fit and proper persons employed.

During our visit a new leadership team was put in place with new Directors taking over. CQC did not initiate enforcement processes because of this.

We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found during this assessment.