The Care Quality Commission
  • Hospital
  • Independent hospital

Archived: Cirencester NHS Treatment Centre

Tetbury Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1UY (0117) 906 1801

Provided and run by:
Care UK (AGW) Limited

All Inspections

19 August 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We previously visited this service in November 2013. At that time we raised concerns that staff did not consistently receive formal supervision. This meant they did not have adequate opportunities to talk through any issues about their role with their line manager or supervisor, receive feedback about their performance or agree personal development plans. We were also concerned that a medical practitioner working in the treatment centre on the day of our visit was not up-to-date with their mandatory (non-medical) training.

We returned to see whether the provider had made improvements. We spoke with the centre manager, other senior staff and the newly appointed administrator. We looked at training and supervision records and staff files.

The provider had taken steps to provide a more structured approach to supervision and evidence was provided to show that most staff received regular supervision. We also saw evidence that most staff, including medical staff, were up-to-date with mandatory training.

13 November 2013

During a routine inspection

We spent a day in the centre and spoke to patients attending for out patient consultation and for surgery. They told us they were well informed about their medical condition and the treatment options. They had been told about the risks and benefits of the proposed treatments and had been given opportunities to ask questions.

People received safe, convenient and coordinated care because the provider liaised with and cooperated with other providers of care.

The provider had robust systems in place to ensure that medicines were managed safely. Patients understood how to take their medicines and what effects they may have.

Patients were complimentary about the staff who cared for and treated them and told us they had confidence in their skills and knowledge. Records provided assurance that most staff were up to date with training in mandatory subjects. However, staff did not receive regular supervision, so we could not be assured that they had opportunities to reflect on their practice, receive feedback or discuss on-going training and development needs.

12 March 2013

During a routine inspection

Cirencester was one of three treatment centres in UKSH South West. It specialised in day case procedures in several specialty areas including dental extractions, diagnostic services, ear, nose and throat procedures, general surgery, gynaecology, minor orthopaedics and urology.

Satisfaction surveys were given to patients who used the services of UKSH South West. Satisfaction levels had remained consistently high since the opening of all three centres in 2009.

Patient experience was rated from one to five, one signifying a bad experience, five representing an excellent experience. Patients were asked if staff were helpful and efficient 97% rated this as good and excellent. The survey asked patients if surgical staff met all their expectations and 99% responded to this as excellent and good. 100% of all patients rated the centres excellent in being welcoming and clean. 99% of patients would recommend UKSH South West to a friend or family member.

Staff clearly supported UKSH and their commitment to deliver high quality clinical and medical services in a manner that significantly improved the patient experience. One patient wrote and described that they were cared for by staff that made them feel 'relaxed' and 'congratulated the staff confidence and professionalism'.

9 January 2012

During a routine inspection

We visited Cirencester NHS Treatment Centre on 9 January 2012 and spent the day at the service. The centre was located within Cirencester Hospital in a refurbished wing of the premises. Patients at the centre came for consultation, pre-operative assessment, and day surgery. The centre specialised in general surgery, minor orthopaedic procedures, gynaecological and urological surgery, pain management, and dental procedures.

The consultant surgeons operated on a sessional basis and worked at one or more of the three UKSH South West locations to complete a list of surgery each day. UKSH had a team of anaesthetists and radiographers who also moved between locations when required. Cirencester NHS Treatment centre carried out between 40 and 50 operations each week and saw about 100 patients each week in outpatients.

The centre had one operating theatre, a recovery room, post-anaesthetic care unit, consultation rooms and assessment suites. The centre operated from Monday to Friday and did not admit patients for overnight stays. The centre had a service-level agreement with Cirencester Hospital to provide emergency doctor support, but otherwise has a doctor or nurse on duty trained in advanced life support. UKSH South West Limited also provided a 24-hour helpline for patients following surgery or other procedures.

We talked at some length with four patients, three of whom were post-operative. We were told that people had been given plenty of information about their procedure, appointments and pain management upon discharge. One patient said "I can't speak highly enough of this place." Another patient told us "they made me feel at ease. Everyone makes you feel welcome. The staff are all very friendly. They work well as a team." We were told that patients were treated with privacy and dignity and "I can't fault the staff. Everything's gone so well. They are a brilliant team."

We looked at eight sets of clinical notes, reviewed the centre's arrangements for infection control, and how the organisation assessed and monitored the service. We talked with senior management, a consultant surgeon, and the nursing staff in theatre, outpatients and the post-anaesthetic care unit about how they were supported to do their jobs. We found the service to be compliant with all the essential standards of quality and safety.