Background to this inspection
Updated
15 December 2021
InHealth Diagnostic Centre is operated by InHealth Limited. The service provides diagnostic imaging services to NHS and private-sector patients from a stand-alone, purpose-built screening facility.
This location opened in 2010. The centre provides magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, computed tomography scan (CT) scans, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans and ultrasound. The unit is registered with the CQC to undertake the regulated activities of diagnostic and screening procedures. The site provides a service for adult patients aged 16 and above and operates seven days a week between the hours of 7am and 9pm.
About 60% of patients came from NHS referrals through an arrangement with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and 40% of patients were referred privately or through self-referral. The clinic saw an average of 800 NHS/CCG patients per month and 400 private patients per month.
The service has one ultrasound scanner, a CT scanner, an MRI Scanner and a DEXA machine. Most reporting was completed locally by in-house radiologists. However, the service outsourced to ensure they kept within the reporting turnaround times and national targets when the providers’ radiologists did not have capacity.
A review was carried out at the location to assess compliance with the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17) and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IRMER17) in June 2021. Overall compliance with IRR17 and IRMER was good. The imaging services manager and radiology staff were aware of the local rules and procedures and these documents are reviewed on a regular basis. Most of the recommendations following this audit related to updating the current documentation to comply with the implementation of the new IRR17 and IRMER regulations. Some minor changes to the procedures were recommended to reflect local arrangements.
The service had not been the subject of an external investigation between August 2017 and September 2021.
Updated
15 December 2021
Our rating of this location stayed the same. 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 collected safety information and used it to improve the service.
- Staff provided good care to patients and monitored their pain. 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 seven days a week.
- 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, families and carers.
- 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 a diagnostic procedure.
- 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:
- There was limited assurance that ageing equipment was protected by an effective capital replacement programme.
- The management of sharps bins was not always in line with national standards.
Updated
15 December 2021
InHealth Diagnostic Centre is operated by InHealth Limited. The service provides diagnostic imaging services to NHS and private-sector patients from a stand-alone, purpose-built screening facility.
We rated the service as good because it was safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well led.