The Care Quality Commission
  • Hospital
  • Independent hospital

Archived: Walsall Dialysis Unit

Alumwell Close, Walsall, West Midlands, WS2 9XH (01922) 746876

Provided and run by:
Fresenius Medical Care Renal Services Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

20 November 2013

During a routine inspection

We inspected Walsall Dialysis Unit on a planned unannounced inspection which meant the service did not know we were coming. We spoke with people who used the service, the manager and staff throughout the inspection.

We saw that people who used the service had consented to their care, treatment and support or had been supported to do so by significant others.

We found that people's care and welfare needs were being met. People who used the service told us they were happy with the service at the unit.

We looked to see if the service was clean and working within current guidelines in relation to infection control. We found the service had systems in place to ensure that good hygiene standards were maintained.

We found that the service was following the correct recruitment procedures when employing new staff.

The service had a complaints procedure for people who used the service or their representatives to use if they felt the need to complain about the service.

26 February 2013

During a routine inspection

We inspected Walsall Dialysis Unit on a planned unannounced inspection which meant the service did not know we were coming.

At our previous inspection in March 2012 we found that the service was non compliant in outcome 4 of the essential standards of quality and safety, the care and welfare of people that used the service and in outcome 14 supporting workers. We looked to see if improvements had been. We found that improvements had been made in both outcome areas.

We saw and people told us that they were treated with dignity and respect by staff. People told us that their privacy was respected.

People who used the service told us they were happy with the care provided at Walsall Dialysis unit. One person told us, "I would prefer to come here than any other unit".

Staff told us they liked working at the unit and felt supported by their manager. We saw that they had sufficient training to complete their role effectively.

We looked to see how the service safeguarded people who used the service from abuse. We found systems were in place for staff to report abuse or the risk of abuse of people who used the services.

The service had quality monitoring systems in place to monitor the quality of the service being delivered.

We found Walsall Dialysis unit was compliant in the five outcome areas we looked at.

20 February 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Patients told us that staff treated them with respect and that they seemed knowledgeable and competent in their job roles. They said, "Staff are brilliant, lovely." "If I need to call staff, they always come quickly." ' Staff do a mighty good job, you can't beat this place'

Patients expressed concerns that in the future staffing levels might be reduced. Some staffing had been reduced and they said it had already had an impact on how long they had to wait to go on their machine, which meant they got home later. One patient said they were not sure how staff would cope if staffing levels were reduced further.

We asked patients if they were involved in their care and treatment. They told us, "Staff explain if you want to know anything, they show you your blood test results monthly' and 'The doctor talks to me regularly and gives me choices about the treatment I have.' One patient said, "They couldn't look after you any better here, the manager will talk to us about any problems we have. People who need dialysis should have no fear of coming here, it's like coming to a club." Patients told us that the dietician was often at the unit and they gave them good, helpful advice to ensure their diet supported their treatment.

Patients told us that if they needed to they would know how to make a complaint but they had not needed to do this. They had expressed their concerns about the proposals to reduce staffing levels but had not made a formal complaint.

We asked patients about the cleanliness of the unit. They said it was always very clean. They said that staff always washed their hands and wore aprons, gloves and face shields to help prevent the spread of infection.