Archived: InHealth MRI and CT - Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital

Suffolk Nuffield is operated by InHealth Limited. The provider operates a diagnostic imaging service at an independent hospital, which is operated by a separate provider. On-site facilities include one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner and one computed tomography (CT) scanner.

We inspected this service using our comprehensive inspection methodology. We carried out the unannounced part of the inspection on 25 February 2020.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we ask the same five questions of all services: are they safe, effective, caring, responsive to people's needs, and well-led? Where we have a legal duty to do so we rate services’ performance against each key question as outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

Throughout the inspection, we took account of what people told us and how the provider understood and complied with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Services we rate

We rated it as Good overall.

We found good practice in relation to diagnostic and screening procedures:

• The service provided mandatory training in key skills to all staff and made sure everyone completed it.
• Staff understood how to protect patients from abuse and the service worked well with other agencies to do so. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it.
• Staff completed and updated risk assessments for each patient and removed or minimised risks. Staff were aware of processes should a patient deteriorate.
• Staff kept detailed records of patients’ care and treatment. Records were clear, up-to-date, stored securely and easily available to all staff providing care.
• Staff monitored the effectiveness of care and treatment and used the findings to make improvements to the service. The service had achieved accreditation under relevant schemes.
• The service made sure staff were competent for their roles. Managers appraised staff’s work performance and held supervision meetings with them to provide support and development.
• Radiographers worked together as a team to benefit patients. They supported each other to provide good care.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, and took account of their individual needs.
• Staff provided emotional support to patients, families and carers to minimise their distress. They understood patients’ personal, cultural and religious needs.
• Staff supported and involved patients, families and carers to understand their condition and make decisions about their care and treatment.
• The service planned and provided care in a way that met the needs of local people and the communities served. It also worked with others in the wider system and local organisations to plan care.
• People could access the service when they needed it and received the right care promptly. Waiting times from referral to investigation were in line with good practice.
• Leaders had the skills and abilities to run the service. They understood and managed the priorities and issues the service faced. They were visible and approachable in the service for patients and staff. They supported staff to develop their skills and take on more senior roles.
• Staff felt respected, supported and valued and focused on the needs of patients receiving care. The service promoted equality and diversity in daily work, and provided opportunities for career development. The service had an open culture where staff could raise concerns without fear.
• Leaders operated effective governance processes, throughout the service and with partner organisations. Staff at all levels were clear about their roles and accountabilities and had regular opportunities to meet, discuss and learn from the performance of the service.

Heidi Smoult

Deputy  Chief Inspector of Hospitals