23 April 2019
During a routine inspection
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Cardio Direct (UK) Ltd. as part of our inspection programme to rate independent health providers.
During our previous inspection on 13 December 2017, we asked the provider to make improvements regarding reviewing their procedures for infection prevention and control audits to ensure this was undertaken on a regular basis. Also, the provider should have obtained copies of fire safety and legionella assessments for the premises to satisfy themselves that these have been undertaken. At this inspection, we checked these areas as part of this comprehensive inspection and found this had been resolved.
The service provided screening and diagnostic services in the area of cardiac medicine for various client groups, including those under the age of 19 as part of their ongoing care through football academies. This service was registered with CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of all of the services it provided. The provider had a registered manager; a registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Our key findings were :
- The provider had embedded systems to support the safeguarding of patients from abuse but were unable to demonstrate that these were always fully effective in practice.
- Clinical systems to support services offered by the provider were well planned, effective and safe.
- There was a process in place for patient feedback, but patients had not engaged. The provider therefore was looking to review the process to ensure better engagement regularly. This was not formally documented.
- The provider was unable to demonstrate any patient feedback in relation to access to care and treatment but was a bespoke service. The provider demonstrated that they worked around patient’s needs. For example, we saw evidence where weekend appointments were provided due to patient need.
- The governance systems in place were comprehensive but demonstrated that they would benefit from strengthening in the areas of risk management.
The areas where the provider Must make improvements are:
- Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.
The areas where the provider Should make improvements are:
- Continue to embed systems to support the collection and consideration of patient feedback.
- Review systems to ensure that personnel files provide assurances that all necessary information has been gathered at recruitment and on an ongoing basis.
Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP
Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care