The Care Quality Commission
  • Hospital
  • Independent hospital

Genesis Care, Elstree

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Elstree Cancer Centre, Unit 710, Centennial Park, Elstree, Hertfordshire, WD6 3SZ (020) 8236 9040

Provided and run by:
Genesis Cancer Care UK Limited

All Inspections

6 July 2023

During a monthly review of our data

We carried out a review of the data available to us about Genesis Care, Elstree on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.

This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.

If you have concerns about Genesis Care, Elstree, you can give feedback on this service.

21 September 2021

During a routine inspection

This was the first rated inspection for GenesisCare Elstree. We rated it as good because:

  • The service had enough staff to care for patients and keep them safe. Staff had training in key skills, understood how to protect patients from abuse, and managed safety well. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. They managed medicines well. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them. Staff collected safety information and used it to improve the service.
  • Staff provided good care and treatment, gave patients enough to eat and drink, and gave them pain relief when they needed it. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, advised them on how to lead healthier lives, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information. Key services were available five days a week.
  • Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. They provided emotional support to patients, families and carers.
  • The service planned care to meet the needs of local people, took account of patients’ individual needs, and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for treatment.
  • Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff understood the service’s vision and values, and how to apply them in their work. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities. The service engaged well with patients and the community to plan and manage services and all staff were committed to improving services continually.

However:

  • The local rules displayed in the radiotherapy area were past their review date. However, staff told us these were recently reviewed and required printing. We checked the new rules against the rules displayed and there were no changes to note. Following our inspection, we received assurances that the updated local rules had been printed and displayed in the linear accelerator control area.
  • We asked staff to locate the policy in relation to escalation of deteriorating patients. Although a policy was in place, this took a while to find. The service rarely experienced patients deteriorating; however, staff need to be aware of steps to take if this was to happen. Following our inspection, we received assurances that the policy had been read by all staff in the Centre.
  • The majority of policies and clinical guidelines were in date and there was good oversight of policies and guidelines which required a review. However, we found two policies that were past their review date, including the complaints policy which was due for review in July 2021, and the Mental Capacity/Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards policy which was due for review in August 2020. Staff told us these were currently under review and would be published by October 2021.

28 January 2014

During a routine inspection

We inspected the service on 28 January 2014 and spoke with five staff, three people that used the service and looked at the records for three people. One person told us "The girls have been absolutely excellent. They have explained things all the way and I would recommend the service." Another person told us "The service is excellent. The staff are excellent, very supportive and give good explanations of what is happening. It is a nice, calming environment." A third person told us "I can't really fault the service. They always answer every question." The staff we spoke with said they very well supported by the manager and received regular training.

We found that the care and treatment people received met their needs and that there was a robust quality assurance system in place to ensure people received the correct dosage of ionising radiation to treat their condition.

The premises and environment was maintained to a high standard and effective procedures were in place to minimise the risks of cross infection. Robust procedures and systems were in place to ensure the premises provided an appropriate and safe environment to provide treatment to the people using the service.

The service had effective quality assurance systems were in place so that people's views were listened to and acted upon to provide an effective service.

20 December 2012

During a routine inspection

During our visit, we spoke with several patients and they were all complimentary about the service and the staff. Patients described the staff as courteous, very good and thorough in the way they worked. A person commented, "This is an excellent service. The staff are very efficient. They are very kind and helpful."

Another person commented, "The staff are absolutely fantastic. They take great care to check I am the right patient before beginning treatment each day. They ask me every time if I have any problems." The same patient added, "They always explain before they do anything; they don't make me feel rushed."

This was echoed by another person who stated that the staff were kind and caring, and 'double checked everything'. The person said they were made to feel at ease and felt unhurried. They added that both the staff and the environment had made them 'feel less depressed' under the circumstances.

The treatment involves using intense x-ray beams to target and destroy diseased tissue with extreme precision. The position, shape and size of the cancer site is first obtained by carrying out a computerised tomography (CT) scan. The service has an arrangement with a local private hospital for this to be done. The beam is applied from numerous angles to ensure the exposure is concentrated on the right area.