Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital

Ratings - Diagnostic imaging

• Overall

  Good

• Safe

  Good

• Effective

  Good

• Caring

  Good

• Responsive

  Good

• Well-led

  Good

Our view of the service

Safe:

Diagnostic imaging services provided at this location included: x-ray, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for adults and children between the ages of 4 and 17 years. The service provides a wide range of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations and serves the host NHS hospital. The service accepted referrals from private patients and NHS patients referred from the NHS through the integrated care board (ICB) contracts and GP referrals.

The service had a good learning culture and staff and patients could raise concerns. Managers investigated incidents thoroughly. Patients were protected and kept safe because staff understood local safeguarding arrangements. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience in the departments to ensure high quality care and treatment.

Managers made sure staff received training and had regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care. Staff managed medicines safely. Staff identified and reacted to unexpected deterioration in a patient’s condition. Staff understood and managed risks from the environment. The facilities and equipment met the needs of patient, were clean and well-maintained and any risks were mitigated.

Effective:

Patients, and where appropriate those close to them, were involved in assessments of their needs. Staff reviewed assessments taking account of patient’s physical emotional, communication and personal care needs. Care and treatment was based on latest evidence and good practice guidance. Patient outcomes met expectations, and harm free care was the norm. Patient’s comfort was observed throughout the procedures

Where necessary staff assessed and managed patients nutritional and hydration needs. Staff made sure patients understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent.

Caring:

Patients were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. They treated patients as individuals and supported their preferences. Staff responded to patients in a timely way. Patients had the opportunity to ask questions from allied health professionals.

Responsive:

Patients, or their representatives, were involved in decisions about their care and treatment. The service provided information which patients could understand. Patients were invited to give feedback, knew who to speak with if they had concerns and were confident the service took their concerns seriously. The service monitored and worked to improve access. The environment was adjusted to meet the needs of people with conditions which could create a barrier to access. The service worked to reduce health and care inequalities through service planning, quality monitoring, staff training and feedback. Patients were involved in making decisions about their care and understood the need for the recommended diagnostic procedures. The service supported staff wellbeing.

Well-led:

Leaders and staff knew the service’s local vision, aims and objectives and understood how their service aligned with this. There was a culture based on speaking up, listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Leaders had sound oversight of the quality of service being delivered through effective governance and risk management systems. Staff with protected characteristics felt supported. There was a culture of continuous improvement with staff able to contribute ideas through a quality improvement programme.

People's experience of this service

Patients were positive about staff treating them with warmth and kindness and providing effective care and treatment. Patients with protected characteristics felt supported. Patients said the staff could be contacted easily and they were responded to quickly and they all felt they could get assistance if needed. Patients told us they were given sufficient time to ask question about their procedure and felt staff ensured they understood the treatment being provided, including the procedure they were due to undergo.