- Independent doctor
Summerhill Health
Assessment report published 27 July 2026
Contents
On this page
- Overview
- Person-centred Care
- Care provision, Integration and continuity
- Providing Information
- Listening to and involving people
- Equity in access
- Equity in experiences and outcomes
- Planning for the future
Responsive
We looked for evidence that the service met people’s needs, and that staff treated people equally and without discrimination.
This is the first inspection for this service since its 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.
Person-centred Care
The service made sure people were at the centre of their care and treatment choices and they decided, in partnership with people, how to respond to any relevant changes in people’s needs.
Care plans reflected physical, mental, emotional, and social needs of patients including those related to protected characteristics under the Equality Act. Our review of clinical records showed patients were supported to understand their condition and were involved in planning for their care needs. They were also involved in decisions about their care.
Care provision, Integration and continuity
The service understood the diverse health and care needs of people and their local communities, so care was joined-up, flexible and supported choice and continuity.
The provider maintained a referral tracking system to follow up outstanding actions and ensure patients did not become lost within care pathways. Records also showed clinicians working collaboratively with specialists and external agencies to support safe prescribing and continuity of treatment.Providing Information
The service supplied appropriate, accurate and up-to-date information in formats that were tailored to individual needs.
People were provided with information in a way that supported them to understand and participate in decisions about their care. The service identified patients' communication and accessibility needs and provided a range of adjustments, including interpreter services, hearing loop facilities and visual resources. Patients received information about treatment costs, referrals and test results, and staff explained the importance of sharing information with other healthcare professionals where appropriate. The provider ensured patients understood the scope and limitations of the service and signposted them to alternative services when required.Listening to and involving people
The service made it easy for people to share feedback and ideas, or raise complaints about their care, treatment and support. They involved people in decisions about their care and told them what had changed as a result.
People were encouraged to share their views and experiences of the service. The provider had systems in place to gather feedback, including patient feedback forms, complaints processes and feedback received through email. Staff described reviewing feedback and making improvements to the service as a result. For example, several female patients had requested specific women’s health assessments. In response, the service developed a range of age-appropriate women's health packages. To support delivery of the service, the provider implemented a dedicated pathway tracker and monitoring systems to oversee patient progress through the programme. Patients were informed of the new service through a newsletter.Equity in access
The service made sure that people could access the care, support and treatment they needed when they needed it.
The provider took steps to promote equitable access to care and support. The service identified patients' communication and accessibility needs and made reasonable adjustments, including interpreter services, hearing loop facilities, visual communication aids and longer appointments where required. Staff described operating neurodiversity friendly clinics and adapting the environment to support patients with additional sensory or communication needs. The provider also made adjustments for people with physical disabilities, including the use of a portable ramp and ground floor consultations.Equity in experiences and outcomes
Staff and leaders actively listened to information about people who are most likely to experience inequality in experience or outcomes and tailored their care, support and treatment in response to this.
Staff understood the importance of providing an inclusive approach to care and made adjustments to support equity in people’s experience and outcomes. Clinical records demonstrated that treatment decisions were tailored to patients' medical histories and risk factors, with specialist advice sought where appropriate. Patients were supported to access specialist services and referrals were actively monitored to reduce delays in care.
Planning for the future
People were supported to plan for important life changes, so they could have enough time to make informed decisions about their future.
We found evidence that the provider planned care with patients' future needs in mind. Systems were in place to monitor long term treatments, including regular reviews and blood monitoring for patients receiving testosterone therapy.