Tiny Toes Scan Studio

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

This is the first assessment for this newly registered service. This key question has been rated good.

We looked for evidence and checked that people’s care was at the centre of their care. We also looked for evidence that leaders instilled a culture of improvement, where understanding and exploring best practice was part of their everyday work.

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 evidence showed a good standard. The service made sure people’s care was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.

Staff kept detailed records of patient care through online booking form, upon arrival people completed a check in form which included consent.

Additional requirements from people were requested during the online booking form such as interpreter, chaperone or wheelchair access.

The evidence showed a good standard. The service 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.

Staff were experienced and qualified and had the right skills and knowledge to meet the needs of the service users’ group.

The service followed the ‘ALARA’ (as low as reasonably achievable) principles. This was in line with national guidance written by The Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) and BMUS (‘Guidelines for Professional Ultrasound Practice’. Where possible, we observed the sonographer completed an ultrasound scan within 15 minutes to help reduce ultrasound dose.

Staff adhered to the ‘Pause and Check’ checklist, which was designed as a ready reminder of the checks that need to be made when any ultrasound examination is undertaken. This was in line with national standards outlined by SCoR and BMUS.

The registered manager/sonographer ensured that they received the necessary specialist training for their role, we saw examples of their qualifications and certification on completion of training.

Staff participated in audit, benchmarking and quality improvement initiatives. The service had external support to peer review their documentation and scanning images. We saw evidence of this during our inspection.

The evidence showed a good standard. The service worked well across different services to support people.

We saw evidence of staff documenting referrals to NHS for service users to have a follow up.

The registered manager/sonographer told us they had good relationship with local NHS trust safeguarding leading midwives, local authorities and other local baby scanning services if additional advice and support were needed.

The evidence showed a good standard. The service supported people to manage their health and wellbeing.

Service users who may need extra support were identified during their online booking form appointment.

We saw information leaflets were available within the reception area, containing contact details of other services and sources of support.

The evidence showed a good standard. The service routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it.

The service carried out peer review audits, which were undertaken in line with guidance issued by the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS). This guidance recommends that peer review audits are completed using the ultrasound image and the written report.

The service benchmarked themselves against other similar services, to ensure they were constantly monitoring and improving their service.

Staff used technology to support service users effectively, service users were encouraged to bring their NHS documentation with them to their appointment to ensure they had same due date, review latest NHS scans and midwife details

The evidence showed a good standard. The service told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment.

Staff understood how and when to assess whether a service user had the capacity to make decisions about their scan. Service users accessed the online booking form and paid a deposit to secure their appointment. They followed the service policy and procedures when a patient could not give consent face to face when attending the service.

Staff understood their roles and responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff had completed awareness training.

There were processes to ensure service users consented to procedures. All service users received written information to read and sign before their scan appointment. This information included terms and conditions, such as scan limitations, consent, prices and use of data. Staff checked the form was signed prior to appointment.

The service was transparent with its pricing, and these were displayed on leaflets, on the internet, on the premises and discussed with potential patients on the phone.

Consent forms were regularly audited, and we saw evidence during our inspection.