Ear Doctors Microsuction Clinic UK Limited

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

We looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.
This is the first inspection for this service since its registration with CQC. This key question has been rated as good.
 

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 service had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. They listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.
People felt supported to raise concerns and felt staff treated them with compassion and understanding. Safety was a top priority. The provider had processes for staff to report incidents, near misses and safety events. There was a system to record and investigate complaints, and when things went wrong, staff apologised and gave people support.
The provider ensured that staff had appropriate mandatory training required for the role they were employed for, which included health and safety, infection prevention control, safeguarding and fire safety.
Regular staff meetings were held and documented. Outcomes were shared and relevant learning actioned.
 

The service worked with people to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care.
There were systems in place for processing information relating to new patients. Patient records were kept safe using electronic systems which were password protected. Referrals to hospital services, where necessary, were completed in a timely manner.
 

The service worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The service shared concerns quickly and appropriately.
Safeguarding policies were in place. These could be easily located by staff, were easy to follow and staff showed competence in this area. The provider used an approved and recognised training package to ensure the staff employed at the service were trained appropriately.
 

The service worked well with people to fully understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. They provided care that met people’s needs and was safe and supportive.
Equipment to monitor patients that might become unwell was available at the clinic. Emergency equipment could be accessed in the unlikely event that it would be needed from a nearby GP practice.
Staff could recognise a deteriorating patient and knew of action to take. Patients were advised on risks related to their condition and actions to take if their condition deteriorated. Patients were appropriately signposted safely to other services as required to meet individual specific needs.
 

The service detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.
Contracts were in place to ensure the premises were maintained. Health and safety and Fire risk assessments and audits had been undertaken and risks identified had been addressed. There was a business continuity plan in place which was monitored and reviewed.
 

The service made sure there were always enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received thorough support, supervision and strong development opportunities. Staff worked well as a team to cover periods of annual leave and sickness. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.
We found training was up to date, learning needs and development of staff was managed appropriately, and staff were working within their agreed areas of competence. Safe recruitment practices were followed and appropriate checks had been completed once successful candidates had been offered positions.
 

The service assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly.
The clinic had a designated infection, prevention and control lead and staff had had relevant training. Cleaning schedules were in place and followed. Risk assessments and audits were completed, and actions taken to mitigate risks.
The clinic was clean, there were good processes in place to ensure single use equipment was disposed of effectively. There was an enclave machine in the clinic to make sure that equipment was cleaned correctly between patients when required.
 

The provider offers a range of Ear, Nose and Throat procedures and they stock the relevant medicines to perform these procedures. The medicines are kept locked away when not in use and could only be accessed and used by the clinician. The stock of medicines was stored at correct temperatures and was well maintained. There was evidence of good stock rotation and all medicines were in date.