The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • Independent doctor

Archived: Sexual Health Milton Keynes

18 Crown Walk, The Centre MK, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK9 3AH 0300 303 8273

Provided and run by:
Virgin Care Provider Services Limited

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

All Inspections

24 July 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

When we inspected Sexual Health Milton Keynes on 27 February 2014, we found that systems to ensure people's privacy when using the service were lacking. The system used to ensure that people's partners received information about risks to their sexual health (contact tracing) was inadequate. Patient feedback was critical of the availability of appointments at the service. Staff were not supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard through the use of appraisal and clinical supervision. A clinical audit system was lacking and the service did not respond appropriately to patient concerns. We judged this to have a moderate impact on people using the service.

We inspected the service again, to check improvements had been made. During this inspection, we found that people's privacy was respected. The service had implemented a plan to extend opening hours and increase clinical staff numbers with the aim of increasing the availability of appointments. The plan also allowed additional resources to improve the completion of contact tracing. Staff were consulted on the proposals and their feedback listened to.

A program was in place and being completed to ensure all staff received an appraisal in 2014. Clinical supervision sessions were held in May and June 2014.

Clinical audits were completed on such things as safeguarding and infection control. Where improvements were identified, appropriate action plans were in place.

27 February 2014

During a routine inspection

At the time of our inspection visit the provider did not have a registered manager in post. The provider had appointed an interim manager to oversee the service and a senior manager who worked for the provider was in the process of applying to become the registered manager. The provider had also recently appointed a manager who carried out the day to day responsibility for the service.

We spoke with one person who used the service, seven members of staff and the manager of the service. We looked at people's comments, compliments and concerns that had been raised with the provider in order to understand people's experiences of using the service.

One person said 'There is more privacy required at the service, the reception area is open plan and there is a lack of privacy'. However, they also said, 'There is enough privacy in the treatment rooms' and 'I found getting an appointment at the service was alright'.

We found that arrangements to protect people's privacy were lacking at the service. We found that the provider's systems did not always ensure people's welfare. We found that people were protected from the risk of abuse and that the provider had adequate systems in place to recruit new members of staff. However, we found that staff were not sufficiently supported and the provider did not always take account of staff and people's feedback in order to improve the service.