CQC takes further action to protect people at Walsall hair transplant service

Published: 9 May 2024 Page last updated: 9 May 2024
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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has again rated AIG Aesthetic Care in Walsall, West Midlands, inadequate, and have kept it in special measures and taken further action to protect people following an inspection in February.

AIG Aesthetic Care is operated by AIG Aesthetic Care Ltd and offers cosmetic hair transplant surgery and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment. PRP is a treatment aimed at stimulating hair growth by injecting someone’s own blood cells into the scalp.

CQC previously inspected the service last September, and due to concerns, took action to suspend the service. Another inspection was carried out a month later in October to check on the progress of improvements CQC told them to make. Following that inspection CQC found some improvements so when the suspension end date passed AIG Aesthetic Care was again able to provide the treatments regulated by CQC.

At this latest inspection in February, they had made some improvements, however significant concerns remained about infection control, people’s safety, and the leadership at the service.

The overall rating, as well as how safe, effective and well-led they are, have again been rated inadequate. Being responsive has been re-rated requires improvement and caring has improved from inadequate to requires improvement.

The service remains in special measures which means it will be kept under close review by CQC to keep people safe and it will be monitored to check sufficient improvements have been made. CQC is also taking further regulatory action which will be reported on when legally able to do so.

Inspectors found:

  • The premises and equipment were not safely managed and presented a number of infection risks
  • Medicines management processes did not meet national standards and presented a significant risk to people
  • The service did not ensure the privacy and dignity of people, and information management processes for the use of CCTV were not fit for purpose
  • Risks CQC had previously told them to address remained as there was a lack of competence and understanding from them about recognising and responding to risks.

However:

  • Staff provided consistent follow-up care after treatment and worked with people to meet their expectations.

About the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

We make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve.

We monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and we publish what we find to help people choose care.