- Independent hospital
Health First Surrey
Assessment report published 22 December 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment 2 September 2025.
Health First Surrey provides phlebotomy services for people requiring private blood tests. Other services also operate from this location but are not provided by Health First Surrey. This assessment focuses on the diagnostic services operated by this provider. We have rated this service and the location requires improvement. The service operates from a site in Cobham, Surrey. The clinic is open Tuesday to Friday, and people can book in for a blood test in the mornings on those days. The service is run by the registered manager who is also the only phlebotomist.
In our assessment of diagnostic services, we found the service did not evidence a learning culture, although we saw that people could raise concerns. The systems for recognising or identifying incidents, issues and concerns and the management of risks were limited. The facilities and equipment met the needs of people, were clean and visibly well-maintained. However, the management of clinical waste was insufficient and infection control risks were not fully recognised. The national guidelines in relation to the safe disposal of sharps were not followed. The registered manager had up-to-date phlebotomy skills, qualifications and experience, however, not all mandatory training was recognised or up to date. They made sure people understood their blood taking processes to enable them to give informed consent. However, they did not have clear processes to follow in the event that people did not have capacity.
People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected people’s privacy and dignity during phlebotomy procedures, however, there was a risk to privacy where patient information was stored on a desk in the waiting area. Staff treated people as individuals and supported their preferences, taking account of communication and health needs. People were involved in decisions about their care. The service provided information people could understand. People knew how to give feedback and were confident the service took it seriously and acted on it. People received fair and equal care and treatment.
There was a vision to provide good quality phlebotomy services. There was not a culture of continuous improvement, and learning was not always prioritised. Governance processes were not comprehensive and there were gaps in policy management, information management, training completion, risk management, health and safety and environmental issues, including the governance of infection control and the management of clinical waste.
We found breaches in regulation 12 in relation to Safe care and treatment, regulation 17 Good governance and regulation 18 Staffing. A warning notice was issued for regulation 17 Good governance. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment. Where relevant, further commentary is provided in the quality statements section of this report.