SpaMedica Epsom

Updated 17 May 2022

SpaMedica Epsom is operated by SpaMedica Ltd. The service opened in October 2021. The service is a private clinic and offers cataract surgery and yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) laser capsulotomy services for NHS patients. YAG laser capsulotomy is a special laser treatment used to improve vision after cataract surgery. The service did not treat children.

The service was based on the first floor. The service has an operating theatre with patient admission, patient ward and patient discharge rooms. The service had several separate rooms used for diagnostic testing, assessment and treatment.

The service is registered to provide the following regulated activities:

• Diagnostic and screening procedures
• Surgical procedures
• Treatment of disease, disorder and injury.

The service is managed from a central referral and booking centre based in Bolton, directing patients through choice to various clinics in the UK. The clinical service is managed by a registered manager and supported by an ophthalmic team which consists of:

• Ophthalmology consultants
• Optometrists
• Registered nurses
• Ophthalmic technicians
• Administration staff.

This is the first time we have inspected and rated this service. We inspected this service using our comprehensive inspection methodology. We carried out an unannounced inspection on 21 March 2022. To get to the heart of the patients’ experience we ask the same five questions of all services: are they safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs and well led. The main core service provided by this hospital was surgery.

Updated 17 May 2022

This was our first inspection of this service. 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 provided good care and treatment, gave patients enough to drink, and gave them advice on 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 patients, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information. Key services were available five 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 treatment.
• 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:

• Clinical waste was not stored in a way that was secure.
• The service did not submit data to The Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN).

Updated 17 May 2022

This was the first time we rated this service. We rated this service as good because it was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. Refer to overall summary above.