Cosmedica Clinics

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

We looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. This is the first inspection for this service since its new registration with CQC. This key question has been rated as Good

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The service had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. The provider had not received concerns about safety however knew what the process would be should one occur. The provider had their own significant event policy and process. The Registered Manager is a lead GP of a local GP practice on the Isle of Wight and is kept up to date about safety alerts and applies them where necessary to the service. A log of safety alerts were held on site. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. For example, the nurse had attended recent safety alert training run by an aesthetics complications expert. Historically the service’s stock check for medicines did not detail the batch number or expiry date. Following the training, this new approach was implemented and the nurse was able to show the improvements made. Staff told us there was an open culture, and that safety was a top priority. The provider had processes for staff to report incidents, near misses and safety events. There was a system to record and investigate complaints to identify learning.

The service worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services.

There were systems in place for processing information relating to new patients. For example, there was a new patient form and the initial appointment was extended to ensure correct details are gathered. The service worked with other providers to deliver shared care. Referrals and test results were managed in a timely way. For example, blood samples were taken and sent off, the results were returned within 24 hours and the person’s NHS GP would also be informed of the results.

The service worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, avoidable harm and neglect. The service knew how to share concerns quickly and appropriately. The Lead clinician was the safeguarding lead and there was a safeguarding policy in place. This was reviewed on an annual basis. Staff were trained in safeguarding procedures and had received safeguarding training relevant to their role, in line with national guidance and the provider’s policy.

The service worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. The provider met with people to discuss their requests however the provider would not progress with treatment if it was not in that person’s best interest. This would be explained to the patient and reasons why recorded. They provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. Emergency equipment was available and maintained. Staff had received training in Basic Life Support, and this was up to date in line with the provider’s training requirements. Staff could recognise a deteriorating patient and knew of the necessary action to take, should the need arise during or post-appointment. There was an Automated External Defibrillator accessible to the service, and this was incorporated as part of their emergency response procedure. Patients were advised on risks and actions to take if their condition deteriorated. The provider gave patients after-care leaflets once treatment had been given and ensured the patient knew who to contact if there were any concerns.

The service detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. It made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. For example, the provider had ensured all equipment was PAT-tested, and this had been renewed in November 2024 with a Pass for all equipment. Contracts were in place to ensure the premises were maintained. For example, a current Legionella’s certificate dated 3 June 2025 was in place and no concerns were detected. Fire equipment was also checked on an annual basis and fire alarm tests were held weekly. There was a business continuity plan in place which was monitored and reviewed. Recognising that internet connectivity could occasionally be intermittent, the provider had implemented contingency measures such as maintaining paper records, which were later uploaded to the system once connectivity was restored. The main reception area maintained privacy for patients in the treatment room by having constant background music on and thickened fire doors for sound reduction.

The service made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. Staff worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. Safe recruitment practices were followed. For example, recruitment details held disclosure and barring checks, and all relevant clinical registrations were in date. Training records were accessible via an online training platform. All training was in date and renewed appropriately as per the provider’s training requirements. Learning needs and development of staff was managed appropriately, and staff were working within their agreed areas of competence.

The service assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and would share concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. The provider had a designated infection, prevention and control lead and all staff had received relevant training. Cleaning schedules were in place and were being followed. Risk assessments and audits were completed, and actions taken to mitigate risks. The environment was noted to be clean and tidy during our onsite visit, and all appropriate personal protective equipment was available for staff to use

The service made sure medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. They involved people in planning, including when changes happened. People knew what to do and who to contact if they experienced any unexpected symptoms. Staff received regular training, were competency assessed on medicines optimisation, and felt confident managing the storage, administration and recording of medicines. Medicines were stored appropriately in a locked medicines fridge. Temperature recordings were taken in line with the provider’s cold chain protocol and no concerns had been identified. Staff regularly checked the stock levels and expiry dates for all medicines including emergency medicines. The provider stored medical gases, such as oxygen, safely and completed the required safety risk assessments. The provider had effective systems to manage and respond to safety alerts and medicine recalls.