Before the Stork

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

We looked for evidence that the service involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.

At our last assessment we rated this key question Good. At this assessment the rating has remained good.

Good: This meant people were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.

We observed staff demonstrating kindness, respect and compassion in their interactions with women using the service. The sonographer took time to explain procedures, offer support and respond to the women’s needs.

The scanning room supported privacy and dignity with low lighting to reduce anxiety.

Staff wellbeing was promoted and there was a positive team culture.

We have not awarded this service a score for Caring.

Find out about when we will not publish a key question score and what we look at when we assess Caring.

Description: We always treat people with kindness, empathy and compassion and we respect their privacy and dignity.

We scored the service as 3. The evidence showed a good standard. The service always treated people with kindness, empathy and compassion and respected their privacy and dignity. Staff treated colleagues from other organisations with kindness and respect.

We observed 2 scan appointments and saw privacy and dignity was maintained during the scan. Staff interactions with women were positive and they showed compassion, kindness and respect for the women and their partners using the service.

The sonographer explained to women what would happen during the scan and ensured any concerns were answered. Conversations could not be overheard in the scanning room.

Women were encouraged to attend NHS midwifery services for their routine scans.

Description: We treat people as individuals and make sure their care, support and treatment meets their needs and preferences, taking account of their strengths, abilities, aspirations, culture and unique backgrounds and protected characteristics.

We scored the service as 3. The evidence showed a good standard. The service treated people as individuals and made sure people’s care, support and treatment met people’s needs and preferences. They took account of people’s strengths, abilities, aspirations, culture and unique backgrounds and protected characteristics.

The service assessed women on an individual basis. The service was responsive to women’s needs. For example, providing assurance for the most appropriate service needed.

Staff had completed equality and diversity training.

Description: We promote people’s independence, so they know their rights and have choice and control over their own care, treatment. and wellbeing.

We scored the service as 3. The evidence showed a good standard. The service promoted people’s independence, so people knew their rights and had choice and control over their own care, treatment and wellbeing.

The service offered several scan packages; early scans, simple 2D scans, gender scans and HD live scans. A gender blood test was also available. Information about scans and blood tests was available on the provider’s website.

The service offered telephone bookings only at the time of the assessment. This ensured the scan was appropriate to be carried out and booked for a convenient time. The service accepted bookings 7 days a week from 9am to 9pm. Appointments were available at different times throughout the week based on the sonographer’s availability and women’s preference. Scanning times were listed on the service website.

Description: We listen to and understand people’s needs, views and wishes. We respond to these in that moment and will act to minimise any discomfort, concern or distress.

We scored the service as 3. The evidence showed a good standard. The service listened to and understood people’s needs, views and wishes. Staff responded to people’s needs in the moment and acted to minimise any discomfort, concern or distress.

The registered manager ensured women’s immediate needs were met during the telephone booking assessment. If any concerns or symptoms were identified, such as bleeding or reduced fetal movements, the women were directed to local NHS services for assessment.

The sonographer assessed the scanning results and ensured any concerns or anomalies were escalated to local NHS services for further assessment.

Women were given the opportunity to ask questions and if they needed further support, this was given.

Description: We care about and promote the wellbeing of our staff, and we support and enable them to always deliver person centred care.

We scored the service as 3. The evidence showed a good standard. The service cared about and promoted the wellbeing of their staff and supported and enabled staff to always deliver person-centred care.

Staff felt respected, supported and valued. Staff received training and support for their role and responsibility.

The workforce was small and they had worked together since the service had opened in 2005.