The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • Independent doctor

Clinica London Limited

Overall: Requires improvement read more about inspection ratings

140 Harley Street, London, W1G 7LB

Provided and run by:
Clinica London Limited

All Inspections

14 September 2022

During a routine inspection

This service is rated as Requires improvement overall. (Previous inspection May 2013 under a previous inspection methodology. Found to be compliant.

The key questions are rated as:

Are services safe? – Requires improvement

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? – Requires improvement

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Clinica London as part of our inspection programme.

Clinica London is an independent healthcare service specialising in pediatric and adult ophthalmology and dermatology services.

Our key findings were:

  • The service was providing generally safe care. However, we found concerns around some safety processes, specifically risk assessment and management, emergency medicines and equipment and the safe prescribing of medicines.
  • The service was providing effective care. The effectiveness and appropriateness of the care provided was reviewed. There was limited evidence of quality improvement activity.
  • The service was providing caring services.
  • Staff treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
  • The service was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations. People were supported to access the service when they wanted to. There were systems and processes in place to manage feedback.
  • The service was generally well-led. Leaders had the capacity and skills to deliver high-quality, sustainable care. However, we found some systems and processes, specifically around safety management, were not consistently applied and managed.

The areas where the provider must make improvements as they are in breach of regulations are:

  • Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.

(Please see the specific details on action required at the end of this report).

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

  • Review quality improvement activity, including clinical and medicines audits to ensure it is carried out regularly and consistently.
  • Review prescribing protocols to ensure a consistent approach which aligns with national guidelines.
  • Consider measures for continuous improvement and innovation.

Dr Sean O’Kelly BSc MB ChB MSc DCH FRCA

Chief Inspector of Hospitals and Interim Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services

9 May 2013

During a routine inspection

Our inspection on 17 December 2013 found there was limited emergency equipment and drugs available at the practice. This meant there was a risk that people would not receive appropriate treatment in a timely fashion in a medical emergency. On our visit on 9 May 2013 we found that appropriate emergency drugs and equipment were now in place and there were regular checks to ensure that these were in date and in good working order.

Our inspection on 17 December 2013 found that there was no specific policy or procedure in place setting out who was responsible for safeguarding at the service and how any concerns were to be reported. On our visit on 9 May 2013 we found that appropriate policies and procedures had now been put in place which staff were aware of.

17 December 2012

During a routine inspection

People who had used the service told us that they were given information about their care and treatment before they underwent procedures. They said that staff were "very professional", "welcoming" and "very attentive".

People who had used the service described it as "very good" and "fantastic". Appropriate medical checks were undertaken before people received treatment and they received appropriate after-care. However, at the time of the inspection the service did not have appropriate emergency drugs and equipment in place. The service reported that these would be put in place in the near future.

Staff were aware of the broad signs of possible abuse and to report any concerns to the local authority. However, at the time of the inspection there was no specific policy or procedure in place setting out who was responsible for safeguarding at the service and how any concerns were to be reported.

Staff at the service received appropriate training and there was a procedure in place for them to undergo annual appraisals where there performance would be discussed and targets set for the coming year.

Staff at the service monitored the clinical outcomes of the treatment of patients. People using the service told us that they would be happy to raise any concerns with staff if they had any.