Womb With A View Grimsby

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 people and communities had the best possible outcomes because their needs were assessed. We checked that people’s care, support and treatment reflected these needs and any protected equality characteristics, ensuring people were at the centre of their care. We also looked for evidence that leaders instilled a culture of improvement, where understanding current outcomes and exploring best practice was part of their everyday work.

This was the first assessment for this service we rated effective as good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

We have not awarded this service a score for Effective.

Find out about when we will not publish a key question score and what we look at when we assess Effective.

The service made sure people's care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, wellbeing, communication and support needs.

Information gathered from patient’s during the booking process helped staff identify and assess risks, additional needs and any reasonable adjustments required before appointments. The service had clear inclusion and exclusion criteria and reviewed booking information and individual risk assessments to ensure appointments were appropriate. Staff considered factors such as pregnancy history, health concerns and additional support requirements. They described obtaining further information where required and signposting people to alternative healthcare services when the service was not suitable to meet their needs.

Staff adopted a person-centred approach and considered people's physical, emotional and social needs when planning and delivering care. They took account of individual circumstances, previous experiences and any additional support requirements. Staff recognised that some people attended for reassurance following previous pregnancy complications or pregnancy loss and adapted their approach accordingly. People told us staff recognised the emotional impact that uncertainty during pregnancy could have and responded with reassurance, information and support. Staff were clear about their roles and responsibilities when unusual findings were identified and followed established pathways to ensure appropriate and timely referral where required.

Staff told us they reviewed people's needs at booking and again on arrival to ensure care remained appropriate. Information was gathered through the online booking process, discussions with people and the consent process. Staff ensured people understood the purpose and limitations of the services provided before proceeding with appointments.

We reviewed records and found booking, consent and scan documentation was clear, accurate and up to date. Records included relevant information about the pregnancy and the scan being undertaken and were stored securely in line with the service's information governance arrangements and data protection requirements.

We found the service planned and delivered care and treatment in line with current legislation, evidence-based practice and professional guidance. Staff considered what was important to people and adapted appointments to meet their individual needs and preferences.

The registered manager regularly reviewed guidance published by professional bodies, including the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) and the Society of Radiographers, to ensure practice remained aligned with current standards. Staff utilised learning and updates gained through their other NHS employment, professional networks and continuing professional development activities to support the implementation of changes in guidance and best practice. The registered manager also attended professional conferences to maintain awareness of developments within the sector.

We found the service followed recognised ultrasound safety principles, including the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle, to minimise ultrasound exposure during examinations. Staff were aware of guidance relating to foetal wellbeing and described how scan protocols reflected current professional recommendations. The registered manager ensured policies and procedures were reviewed and updated to reflect changes in legislation, national guidance and professional standards. Staff remained informed of relevant updates through training, professional networks and regular communication within the service.

The service worked well across teams and services to support people. They made sure people only needed to tell their story once by sharing their assessment of needs when people moved between different services.

The service had arrangements in place for working with NHS and other healthcare providers when people required further assessment or support.

Staff understood the scope and limitations of the non-diagnostic scanning service and worked appropriately with other healthcare providers when concerns were identified that required further assessment. People were asked to provide details of their GP and maternity care provider when booking appointments which enabled staff to share relevant information, with consent, where appropriate.

Staff demonstrated an understanding of local maternity pathways and knew when people required further assessment or support from NHS services. They understood their responsibility to signpost and refer people to appropriate healthcare services and did not provide advice beyond the scope of the service.

Staff described established communication pathways with local NHS maternity services and other healthcare professionals. Where concerns were identified that required further assessment, staff shared relevant information and supported people to access appropriate follow-up care. Formal referrals made by the service were recorded, monitored, and tracked through the referral and escalation process, supporting continuity of care and enabling leaders to review referral activity and outcomes. These arrangements helped ensure people received timely access to further assessment and support when required

The service website clearly described the scans and services available and explained the booking process. Following their appointment, people received a written report, which could be shared with their GP, midwife, or other healthcare professional if required. This supported continuity of care and ensured relevant information was available to those involved in a person's ongoing maternity care.

The service supported people to manage their health and wellbeing and provided information to help them make informed decisions and access appropriate support.

Health promotion information was available within the reception area, including leaflets relating to pregnancy wellbeing, emotional health and sources of additional support.

Staff signposted people to a range of health, wellbeing and community support services, including local maternity services, pregnancy and birth preparation support, baby banks, miscarriage support organisations and mental wellbeing resources. People were given opportunities to discuss concerns, ask questions and understand any recommended next steps. Where further assessment was required, staff supported people to access appropriate NHS services and additional sources of practical and emotional support.

The service routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent, and that they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves.

The service undertook outcome monitoring that was appropriate to its size and the nature of the non-diagnostic pregnancy scanning services it provided. The provider monitored the quality of scans and people's experiences to help ensure outcomes were positive, consistent and met the expectations of people using the service.

Staff reviewed ultrasound images to ensure they were of sufficient quality for their intended purpose, including keepsake and bonding scans and, where appropriate, to support onward referral to healthcare professionals. People using the service were routinely asked about their experience and whether they were satisfied with the quality of their scan images. Where foetal position affected image quality, people were offered a further appointment to provide another opportunity to obtain suitable images and achieve the intended purpose of their appointment.

The service recorded and monitored activity levels, including the number and type of scans undertaken, referral activity, repeat appointments, cancellations and non-attendance. Leaders used this information to monitor demand, review service performance and support workforce and capacity planning.

The service monitored referrals made to NHS services when concerns were identified and maintained records of these referrals. Staff reviewed referral activity to ensure people were directed appropriately for further assessment and support when required. Formal referrals and escalations were recorded and reviewed through the service's referral and escalation processes.

Feedback from people using the service was consistently positive. Leaders recognised that patient satisfaction alone did not demonstrate service quality and therefore reviewed feedback alongside audit findings, incidents, complaints and referral information to maintain oversight and identify opportunities for improvement.

The service undertook audits of infection prevention and control, hand hygiene, environmental safety, safeguarding and health and safety. Findings were reviewed through governance processes and used to support the continued delivery of safe and effective care.

The service told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care. Staff enabled people to make informed decisions and promoted choice, autonomy and involvement throughout their experience of the service.

People completed an electronic consent form before their appointment, which provided information about the scan, its limitations, pricing arrangements, and the use of personal information. Staff confirmed people's identities on arrival and the sonographer obtained verbal consent before proceeding with the scan. Where transvaginal scans were undertaken, separate consent was obtained to ensure people understood the nature of the examination and agreed to proceed.

Staff took practical steps to enable people to make informed decisions. They provided written and verbal information before appointments and gave people opportunities to ask questions before consenting to the service. Staff explained the purpose and limitations of scans and ensured people had the information they needed to make informed decisions about their care.

People were informed of their right to withdraw consent and stop the scan at any stage. Where appropriate, staff adapted scan packages to meet individual needs and respected people's choices throughout their appointment.

Staff had completed Mental Capacity Act training and demonstrated an understanding of how and when to assess a person's capacity to make decisions.

The service could access interpreters to support people whose first language was not English to provide informed consent. They also described how some people attended with a person who could support their understanding, although staff remained responsible for ensuring valid consent was obtained.

For non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), staff provided clear written and verbal information about the test, potential outcomes, and how results would be communicated. Staff ensured people had sufficient opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether to proceed with testing.