The Care Quality Commission
  • Hospital
  • Independent hospital

BPAS - Sandwell

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Glebefields Health Centre, St. Marks Road, Tipton, DY4 0SN 07471 998677

Provided and run by:
British Pregnancy Advisory Service

All Inspections

During an assessment of Termination of pregnancy

We carried out this assessment as the service had not been inspected since March 2022 when it was rated as requires improvement. BPAS Sandwell offers consultation, medical assessment, early medical abortion up to 9 weeks and 6 days and surgical termination of pregnancy up to 13 weeks and 6 days weeks gestation, service specific counselling and treatment. As part of the care pathway, women are offered sexual health screening and contraception.

We assessed all quality statements across the safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led key questions and have combined the scores for these areas to give an overall rating.

The service had a good learning culture and patients could raise concerns. Managers investigated incidents thoroughly. Patients were protected and kept safe. Staff understood and managed risks. The facilities and equipment met the needs of patients, were clean and well-maintained and any risks mitigated. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience. Managers made sure staff received training and regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care. Staff managed medicines well.

Patients were involved in assessments of their needs. Staff reviewed assessments taking account of patient’s communication, personal and health needs. Care was based on latest evidence and good practice. Staff worked with all agencies involved in patient’s care for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving services. Staff made sure patients understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent.

Patients were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. They treated them as individuals and supported their preferences. Patients had choice in their care and were encouraged to maintain relationships with family and friends. Staff responded to patients in a timely way. The service supported staff wellbeing.

Patients were involved in decisions about their care. The service provided information that patients could understand. The service was easy to access and worked to eliminate discrimination. Patients received fair and equal care and treatment.

Leaders and staff had a shared vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff to develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Managers worked with the local community to deliver the best possible care and were receptive to new ideas. There was a culture of continuous improvement with staff given time and resources to try new ideas.

During an assessment of the hospital overall

We carried out this assessment as the service had not been inspected since March 2022 when it was rated as requires improvement. BPAS Sandwell offers consultation, medical assessment, early medical abortion up to 9 weeks and 6 days and surgical termination of pregnancy up to 13 weeks and 6 days weeks gestation, service specific counselling and treatment. As part of the care pathway, women are offered sexual health screening and contraception.

We assessed all quality statements across the safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led key questions and have combined the scores for these areas to give an overall rating.

The service had a good learning culture and patients could raise concerns. Managers investigated incidents thoroughly. Patients were protected and kept safe. Staff understood and managed risks. The facilities and equipment met the needs of patients, were clean and well-maintained and any risks mitigated. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience. Managers made sure staff received training and regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care. Staff managed medicines well.

Patients were involved in assessments of their needs. Staff reviewed assessments taking account of patient’s communication, personal and health needs. Care was based on latest evidence and good practice. Staff worked with all agencies involved in patient’s care for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving services. Staff made sure patients understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent.

Patients were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. They treated them as individuals and supported their preferences. Patients had choice in their care and were encouraged to maintain relationships with family and friends. Staff responded to patients in a timely way. The service supported staff wellbeing.

Patients were involved in decisions about their care. The service provided information which patients could understand. The service was easy to access and worked to eliminate discrimination. Patients received fair and equal care and treatment.

Leaders and staff had a shared vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Managers worked with the local community to deliver the best possible care and were receptive to new ideas. There was a culture of continuous improvement with staff given time and resources to try new ideas.

16 March 2022

During a routine inspection

BPAS Sandwell is operated by British Pregnancy Advisory Service and was inspected as part of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) comprehensive inspection programme. BPAS Sandwell has not been inspected since it was registered in December 2019.

From March 2021 to February 2022, the service completed 695 medical abortions and 187 surgical abortions.

Prior to the inspection, inspectors reviewed monitoring and ongoing information about the service.

We rated it as requires improvement because:

  • Women did not have timely access to the service and had to wait longer than national guidance both for consultation and treatment.
  • The service did not ensure secure or appropriate storage and collection of pregnancy remains.
  • The service did not use a paediatric specific risk scoring tool for girls under the age of 16.
  • Completion of venous thromboembolism risk assessments did not always meet the providers policy.

However

  • The service had enough staff to care for women and keep them safe. Staff had training in key skills, understood how to protect women from abuse, and managed safety well. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff kept good care records. Most medicines were managed well. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them.
  • Staff provided good care and treatment and gave women 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 women, 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 women with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs. They provided emotional support to women, families and carers.
  • The service made it easy for people to give feedback.
  • 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 women receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities. The service engaged well with women to plan and manage services and all staff were committed to improving services continually. Required notifications were made to meet legal requirements.