The Care Quality Commission

Archived: St Nicholas Endoscopy Unit

1 St Nicholas Court, Church Lane, Dersingham, Norfolk, PE31 6GZ (01485) 540132

Provided and run by:
Norfolk Surgical & Diagnostic Centre

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

4 July 2013

During a routine inspection

On the day of this inspection on 04 July 2013 there were no patients booked in for a procedure to be undertaken. The manager was on site completing paperwork and we were therefore able to review documents and discuss policies and procedures that had been developed and were being used since the last inspection. We were told that referrals had decreased over recent months and the St Nicholas Endoscopy Unit was now open two days a week instead of the previous three days.

New policies and procedures had been produced and were in use to ensure the continued monitoring of all aspects relating to infection control and hygiene within the Unit.

People who used the service, their representatives and staff were asked for their views about their care and treatment and they were acted on. We were shown the most recent results of questionnaires that had been received and found that comments were positive and included some suggestions for consideration. We saw records that showed us how these suggestions had been reviewed and the subsequent action that had been taken .

19, 20 February 2013

During a routine inspection

When we visited the service we found that people were provided with sufficient levels of information before and after receiving their procedure. We followed one person through their admission, consultation and discharge. We found they had received a good level of care and support from the staff.

In a feedback survey completed in October 2012 people said they had fully understood the procedure they had received and their privacy and dignity had been maintained at all times. One person commented that they were," Made to feel totally at ease, the experience was not at all traumatic".

Systems were in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection which included a clear process for cleaning and decontaminating the endoscopy instruments. Although we found the premises were clean and well maintained, there were no cleaning schedules available to show that the premises were cleaned on a regular basis. Specialist infection control support and advice was provided by the local NHS trust.

There were appropriate levels of suitably skilled and experienced staff to meet the needs of people who used the service.

We found that an accurate record was completed for each patient who used the service and secure storage arrangements were in place.