Bourn Hall Clinic Wickford

Updated 14 March 2022

Bourn Hall Clinic Wickford provides National Health Service (NHS) and privately funded fertility advice and treatment for people in Essex and the surrounding geographical area. It is part of the Bourn Hall Limited group. The service is registered with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The HFEA regulate services that provide fertility treatment and research using human embryos and carry out their own inspections to ensure their standards are met. The service is registered with the CQC for the regulated activities of diagnostic screening procedures and surgical procedures for adults over 18 years of age. Although there had been no surgical procedures in the 12 months prior to our inspection. CQC only inspect against regulated activities.

The service is located in a 3-storey purpose-built building situated in the town of Wickford, with nearby train and bus transport links. There are adequate car parking facilities to the rear of the building.

Facilities include ground floor entrance using security entry. There is a lift available providing access for those with a disability. The first floor consists of a large reception area with seating strategically placed to adhere to COVID-19 pandemic social distancing guidance. The area was visibly clean and tidy with well-maintained attractively coloured furniture and subdued music. Off the main reception corridors were 4 consultation rooms, clinical room, 2 ultrasound scanning rooms, quiet room used for counselling, administration offices, stock rooms, staff meeting room and kitchen. Adequate toilet facilities were available including some adapted facilities on each floor. The second floor provided procedure facilities, including procedure room, recovery area with 5 bays, quiet room for patients, laboratory and staff changing room.

The service is open Monday to Friday, and when they close there is a consultant who is on call until 10pm. There is an out-of-hours service to cover calls between 10pm and 8am.

The service is led by a medical clinical lead director and a registered manager. The organisation’s governance is led from their Cambridge office and the service receives managerial support for aspects of operational management. The service employs a range of clinical staff including consultant gynaecologists, clinical embryologists, specialist nurses and midwives, health care assistant, administrators and access to a counsellor and nutritionist.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This means that they and the provider a legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

This is the first inspection of this service.

Updated 14 March 2022

We rated it as good because:

• The service had enough staff to care for patients and keep them safe. Staff had training in key skills, understood how to protect patients from abuse, and managed safety well. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. They managed medicines well. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them.
• Staff provided good care and treatment, gave patients enough to eat and drink, and gave them pain relief when they needed it. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, advised them on how to lead healthier lives, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information. Key services were available to suit patients' needs.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. They provided emotional support to patients and families.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of local people, took account of patients’ individual needs, and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for treatment.
• Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff understood the service’s vision and values, and how to apply them in their work. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities. The service engaged well with patients and the community to plan and manage services and all staff were committed to improving services continually.

However:

• During our inspection we found some equipment on one emergency resuscitation trolley had gone past the expiry dates. The registered manager took immediate action and removed the items and arranged for replacements. The service should ensure that the checking of equipment is completed accurately to ensure all equipment is in date and ready for use.
  

Updated 14 March 2022