Updated 3 February 2020
We carried out an inspection of VSL Clinic on 9 January 2020.
VSL Clinic is an independent health care provider operated by VSL Clinic Limited. The service operates its services from Trident House, 106 Barnsley Road, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 5NX. The service has a web presence at www.vslclinic.com.
VSL Clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission to deliver the following regulated activities:
- Diagnostic and screening procedures
- Treatment of disease, disorder or injury
- Family Planning (this activity is not being delivered by the service at this time)
- Surgical procedures
The service delivers a range of health and care services from modern facilities. Parking, including parking for those with mobility issues, is available on the site. There is a manual access lift in place and all treatment rooms are accessible to service users with mobility issues. The premises is accessed via a call button to enhance and aid security.
Services provided include:
- Ophthalmology - including cataract services and refractive lens exchange.
- Plastic surgery – including the removal of lipomas and skin tags.
- Neurology clinics.
- Gynaecology.
- Private GP services.
- Cosmetic and aesthetic services.
- Blood testing
At the VSL Clinic some of the aesthetic treatments that are provided are exempt by law from CQC regulation. Therefore, we carried out the inspection in relation to medically related treatment only.
These services were delivered to persons who were aged 18 years and above. No services were offered to those under this age.
Service users access the service via direct contact with the clinic.
In addition to consultation and treatment facilities the service has a minor surgery room.
The service operates from Monday to Friday from 10am to 7pm, Saturdays 10am to 2pm, and on Sundays by specific arrangement.
The service had begun operation in March 2019, and at the time of inspection is currently building its client base.
The service is operated by two company officers who oversee and manage the delivery of services. Other staff including consultants, doctors and nurses are employed on a sessional basis. Non-clinical staff including receptionists and a cleaner are employed directly by the service. All doctors who work for the service have been granted practising privileges after approval by the organisation’s medical advisory committee.
During our inspection we:
- Looked at the systems in place relating to safety and governance of the service.
- Viewed a number of key policies and procedures.
- Explored clinical oversight and how decisions were made.
- Spoke with a range of staff.
- Reviewed CQC comment cards and other feedback received from service users where they shared their views and experiences.
To get to the heart of service users’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:
- Is it safe?
- Is it effective?
- Is it caring?
- Is it responsive to people’s needs?
- Is it well-led?
These questions therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.