Crystal Clear Ear Clinic

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

We looked for evidence that the provider involved people in decisions about their care and treatment and provided them advice and support. The provider regularly reviewed people’s care and worked with other services to achieve this.

This is the first inspection for this provider 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.

The provider made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them during appointments. A detailed medical history was taken during their first appointment and before any treatment commenced, and was updated at subsequent appointments.Standard consultations were 45 minutes long and we were told the consent, and consultation forms were regularly updated to take into account any changes to guidance or best practice shared.

The provider planned and delivered people’s care and treatment with them, including what was important and mattered to them. They did this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards.

Systems were in place to ensure the provider was up to date with evidence-based guidance and legislation. The provider kept records of the relevant training they had completed, and this was available for people to see when they attended appointments. Clinical records we saw demonstrated care was provided in line with current guidance and best practice.

The provider demonstrated a clear understanding of the scope of their role and recognised when a person’s care needed to be transferred to other providers, such as their GP. This was highlighted where necessary in the clinic’s summary to GP following treatment.

The provider supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. The provider supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support. The provider attended patients at local care homes, or in their own homes where required, and was proactive in raising awareness of the link between hearing loss caused by ear wax, and how this can contribute to cognitive decline or worsen confusion and isolation in patients with dementia. Families and carers were involved to ensure treatment was in the patient's best interests. The provider used social media to educate and offer support to patients, their families and health professionals.

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. This was achieved through regular audits and analysis of emerging themes. The provider used an Artificial Intelligence (AI) medical scribe tool, and regularly audited this for correctness and completeness. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent, and that they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment.

The provider understood and applied legislation relating to consent.