- Independent doctor
The Clear Ear Clinic
Assessment report published 7 July 2026
Contents
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
Safe
We looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.
At our last inspection in October 2019, we rated this key question as Good. At this assessment in April 2026, the rating remains the same.
This service scored 69 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.
Learning culture
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.
The service encouraged staff to raise concerns when things went wrong. During staff meetings, the whole team discussed and learnt from clinical issues. The provider had processes for staff to report incidents, near misses and safety events. There was a system to record and investigate complaints. Learning from incidents and complaints resulted in changes that improved care for others.
Safe systems, pathways and transitions
The service worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services.
There were systems in place for processing information relating to new patients. Referrals and test results were managed in a timely way.
Information was shared with the patient’s NHS GP where the patient had provided consent. Where consent was not given, the service reviewed the information and contacted the patient directly where necessary to ensure any significant or relevant health information was communicated appropriately.Safeguarding
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 and procedures were in place and were known to staff. However, we found that some doctors had not received appropriate safeguarding children level 3 training relevant to their roles. Following our assessment, the service took immediate action and demonstrated that appropriate training had been booked for these clinicians. All staff had received safeguarding adults training. Staff we spoke with were able to describe the procedures to follow if they had safeguarding concerns. The service provided treatment to both adults and children. Systems were in place to verify patients’ identities verbally. Where children attended the service, processes were in place to ensure that any accompanying adult had appropriate parental responsibility.Involving people to manage risks
The service worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. They provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them.
Emergency medicines and emergency equipment were checked regularly. Staff were suitably trained in emergency procedures. 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. The service gave patients after-care information once treatment had been given and ensured the patient knew who to contact if there were any concerns.
Safe environments
The service detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.
There were contracts in place to ensure the premises were maintained. Health and safety risk assessments and audits had been undertaken and risks identified had been addressed.
Fire safety control measures were in place, and regular checks had been completed. A formal documented fire risk assessment was carried out on 4 March 2021 by an external contractor. The contractor was carrying out routine fire safety checks and provided written assurance that a follow-up internal fire risk assessment was sufficient to maintain fire safety at the premises. The internal fire risk assessment was carried out on 8 December 2025. The fire system and fire extinguishers were inspected regularly; with comprehensive records maintained for all fire alarm checks. The service carried out regular fire drills. Fire safety training had been completed.
Portable appliance testing was carried out on 8 April 2026.
Calibration of microscope and autoclave (an autoclave is like a super-powered steam oven that kills all harmful germs on medical tools to make them completely safe for use) were carried out regularly. Calibration of medical equipment was not required, as the service decided to replace basic medical equipment annually.
A gas safety check was carried out on 17 June 2025.
The Electrical Installation Condition report (EICR) of the premises had been carried out on 24 November 2025.
A Legionella risk assessment had been completed in March 2025, and records showed that water temperatures were monitored regularly.There was a business continuity plan in place which was monitored and reviewed.
Safe and effective staffing
The service made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.
There were a range of clinical and non-clinical roles within the service. We found most of the training was up to date, learning needs and development of staff was managed appropriately, and staff were working within their agreed areas of competence.
Recruitment checks were not always carried out in accordance with regulations prior to employment. For example, the 3 staff files we reviewed showed that references (satisfactory evidence of conduct in previous employment) had not been undertaken prior to employment for 1 member of staff. Interview notes were not kept in all 3 staff files. Appropriate health checks (satisfactory information about any physical or mental health conditions) had not been undertaken prior to employment for all 3 staff members. A confidentiality agreement was not signed by all 3 staff.
All staff had received Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks appropriate to their role.
Infection prevention and control
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 practice had a designated infection, prevention and control lead and all staff had received relevant training. Cleaning schedules were in place and followed. Risk assessments and audits were completed, and actions taken to mitigate risks. The environment was noted to be clean and tidy during our onsite visit, and all appropriate personal protective equipment was available for staff to use.
Feedback from people who use the service, was positive in relation to the cleanliness of the environment.
Medicines optimisation
The service made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. They involved people in planning, including when changes happened.
We reviewed 13 clinical records, which were completed appropriately and stored electronically on a secure network. Records were complete, accurate and up to date. Consultation notes demonstrated appropriate clinical decision-making. Staff followed established prescribing protocols and ensured medicines were prescribed safely. People knew what to do and who to contact if they experienced any unexpected symptoms.
Staff regularly checked the stock levels and expiry dates for emergency medicines.
Fridge temperatures were monitored regularly, and records were well maintained. Additionally, a thermometer was connected to an app provided alerts if temperatures went out of range. There were ‘do not switch off’ stickers displayed on the fridge and next to the fridge socket.
The service stored medical gases, such as oxygen, safely and completed the required safety risk assessments. The service had effective systems to manage and respond to safety alerts and medicine recalls. Safety alerts were received by a dedicated person and managed effectively. However, a log was not maintained.