Bijoux Medi-Spa is a private clinic that carries out aesthetic treatments and medical procedures for people over the age of eighteen. The clinic is registered to provide diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions and minor surgical procedures which includes small excisions and skin shaves for the removal of lesions on the face and body and Microsclerotherapy, which is a treatment for small veins on the legs. The clinic also provides non-surgical cosmetic treatments which are not within the scope of registration, so we did not inspect this area of the service. Three staff at the clinic are involved in CQC regulated activities, which includes the doctor.

The clinic is located in a converted residential and business use property with street level access into a reception and waiting area. The building is not fully accessible to wheelchair users and does not have accessible facilities. There are patient toilets and baby changing facilities available. The premises consist of a patient waiting room and reception area, two consultation rooms, a massage therapy room, kitchen space and storage area.

Services are available to any fee-paying patient. The service is open between 10am and 5.30pm on Monday and 10am and 6.30pm Tuesday to Friday. The service is open on Saturday between 10am and 2pm. Services are available to people on a pre-bookable appointment basis.

Medical procedures are provided by a sole medical doctor. The doctor is supported by a Service Manager and administrative support is provided by two reception staff members who work part time. The doctor is required to register with a professional body and was registered with a licence to practice.

How we inspected this service

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Bijoux Medi-Spa on 19 September 2019. Our inspection team was led by a CQC Lead Inspector. The other member of the inspection team was a GP specialist advisor.

Before visiting, we reviewed the information we hold about the service. During our visit we:

• Spoke with the clinician and administrative staff.
• Reviewed a sample of the personal care or treatment records of patients.
• Reviewed service policies, procedures and other relevant documentation.
• Inspected the premises and equipment used by the service.
• Reviewed comment cards where patients shared their views and experiences of the service.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive to people’s needs?
• Is it well-led?

These questions therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.