- Independent doctor
SH Medical Clinic
Assessment report published 10 March 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 28 January to 12 February 2026. This is the first assessment for this service since its registration with the Care Quality Commission in December 2022. SH Medical Clinic is an independent clinic provider delivering a service to a range of adults. This service is registered with the CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of some, but not all, of the services it provides. There are some general exemptions from regulation by CQC which relate to particular types of service, and these are set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. The service provides a range of skin care treatments, including procedures for excessive sweating, blood sampling, and vitamin injections.
The service had a good learning culture and people could raise concerns. The provider investigated incidents. People were protected and kept safe. While staffing levels were sufficient, there were no recruitment records available to confirm staff possessed the appropriate skills, qualifications, and experience. Additionally, the provider did not ensure staff received necessary training or regular appraisals. While the provider had contracts for premises maintenance and some safety processes in place, gaps were identified in cleaning records, safety data sheets, and risk assessments. Notably, there was a failure to identify the action needed as a result of a national safety alert, indicating a lack of effective systems for monitoring and responding to medicine-related risks. However, staff managed medicines effectively and actively involved people in planning any changes.
People were involved in assessments of their needs. Staff reviewed assessments taking account of people’s communication, personal and health needs. Staff worked with agencies involved in people’s care for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving between services. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent
People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. They treated them as individuals and supported their preferences. People had choice in their care and treatment. The service supported staff wellbeing.
People were involved in decisions about their care. People knew how to give feedback and were confident the service took it seriously and acted on it. The service was easy to access and worked to eliminate discrimination. People received fair and equal care and treatment. People were involved in planning their care and understood options around choosing to withdraw or not receive care.
The service did not have clear responsibilities, roles, systems of accountability and good governance. They did not act on the best information about risk, performance and outcomes. The service had a vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. However, the provider had not established governance processes that were appropriate for the service. Despite this, the provider was 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 own roles and responsibilities. There was a culture of learning from events and being proactive in meeting the needs of the people who used the service.
We found breaches of the legal regulation in relation to safe and effective staffing and good governance. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
People's experience of this service
While people expressed general satisfaction with their treatment, our assessment found elements of care did not meet the expected standards.
Staff enabled people to give feedback through online reviews, a suggestion box and a service-created QR code. People said staff were always available and described them as polite, kind, respectful, friendly and non-judgmental. People also shared they felt staff cared about them, listened and understood their needs.