Updated 19 August 2025
Optimum Road Health Centre is an independent practice that provides private treatment for acute illness, blood testing, minor surgery and ADHD assessments. The service operates on a small scale with a limited number of staff and offers appointments on set days, with clear information available to people about when each part of the service is open. The service is open on Mondays and Fridays from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm, and the ADHD and autism clinic operates on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm.
The lead clinician is also the registered manager. A registered manager is a person registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are registered persons and have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations. This includes ensuring that the service is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
Safe
The service was rated as good for providing safe care. Staff demonstrated a positive learning culture, felt able to raise concerns and learning from incidents and complaints was used to improve practice. Safeguarding arrangements were clear, staff were trained and concerns were escalated appropriately. Before the inspection, the service did not confirm people’s identity at registration, however, formal ID checks were introduced from the inspection onwards to strengthen safety. Risks were well managed, the environment and equipment were clean and maintained, and staff provided people with information about recognising deterioration.
The service had enough trained and competent staff to provide safe care, supported by supervision, appraisal and appropriate oversight of the locum nurse. Infection prevention and control procedures were effective, with audits, cleaning schedules
and safe storage of equipment. Medicines were managed safely, prescribing followed guidance and emergency medicines were stored securely with routine checks in place. Systems supported safe handling of test results, referrals and safety alerts. Overall, governance arrangements ensured consistent and reliable safety practices across the service.
Effective
The service delivered effective care and treatment. Clinicians completed thorough assessments, worked in partnership with people and used evidence-based guidance to plan care. Staff shared information appropriately with other healthcare providers, supported people to manage their health and monitored outcomes to ensure care remained safe and appropriate. Consent processes were clear, and people were involved in decisions about their treatment.
Caring
The service was rated as good for providing caring and compassionate treatment. Staff consistently treated people with kindness, dignity and respect, taking time to understand individual needs and offering reassurance throughout consultations and procedures. Feedback reviewed during the inspection showed that people felt listened to and valued the clear and sensitive communication they received. Privacy was protected through the use of private consultation rooms and appropriate management of personal information.
Care was personalised, and staff supported people as individuals, tailoring communication and treatment plans to reflect their preferences, abilities and circumstances. For children and young people undergoing ADHD assessments, staff took account of personal goals, family involvement and levels of independence, ensuring that parents or carers were supported while also respecting the rights and choices of the young person. The service promoted people’s independence by encouraging involvement in decisions about their care and ensuring they understood their options. Staff responded to people’s immediate needs, including directing those who were acutely unwell to alternative healthcare providers. Overall, the service demonstrated a caring, person-centred approach with a supportive culture among staff.
Responsive
The service was rated as good for providing care that met people’s needs. Staff ensured that people were at the centre of their care and treatment choices, adapting plans to reflect individual preferences, circumstances and goals. Care was joined up and coordinated, with appropriate information shared with NHS GPs and other healthcare providers, and referrals made when people required additional support.
People received clear, accessible information about their care, and interpreter services and alternative formats were available when needed.
The service encouraged feedback and made it easy for people to raise concerns, with processes in place for managing complaints even though none had been received at the time of inspection. Access to care was flexible, with appointments offered online, in person and by telephone, and reasonable adjustments provided for those who required extra time or support. All treatment rooms were on the ground floor with level access, and staff assisted people with mobility needs. Leaders and staff considered the needs of people who might experience inequality and tailored care accordingly.
Well-led
The service was rated as good for being well-led. Leaders promoted a clear vision and culture based on openness, equality and person-centred care, and staff told us they understood the aims of the service. The small team worked closely together, with all staff contributing to the ongoing development and direction of the service. The directors and registered manager were approachable and maintained regular contact, providing effective oversight of both clinical and administrative activity. Staff felt supported and able to raise concerns, and clear processes were in place for speaking up.
Governance systems were appropriate for the size of the service and ensured that risks, performance information and clinical outcomes were monitored and acted on. Policies and procedures were accessible, and regular discussions allowed staff to review any emerging issues. The service worked in partnership with other providers, sharing information appropriately and supporting coordinated care. A focus on learning and improvement was evident, with staff encouraged to share ideas and developments such as the creation of a sensory room and plans for future services. Overall, the service demonstrated effective leadership, good governance and a commitment to continuous improvement.