We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Private GP Clinic, Sunningdale on 22 January 2020 as part of our inspection programme. This was the first inspection of this service following registration with the CQC in January 2019.
This service is registered with CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of some, but not all, of the services it provides. There are some exemptions from regulation by CQC which relate to particular types of regulated activities and services and these are set out in and
of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Private GP Clinic, Sunningdale provides a range of non-surgical cosmetic interventions, for example dermal fillers and laser hair removal which are not within CQC scope of registration. Therefore, we did not inspect or report on these services.
The Director is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
We received seven CQC comment cards from patients of the service. They described the service as professional and caring with friendly staff. We did not have the opportunity to speak with any patients on the day of the inspection.
Our key findings from the January 2020 inspection were:
- Safety processes were established and embedded. Staff knew their role and responsibility towards safeguarding and how to keep patients safe.
- Medicines used within the building (including emergency medicines and vaccines) were stored in line with guidance and checked appropriately.
- The provider reviewed and monitored care and treatment to ensure it was providing effective services.
- Clinical and prescribing audits were used to improve quality. Staff received training appropriate to their role.
- Patient feedback was positive about their care and treatment. Staff understood how to help and support patients, to meet their needs.
- The practice was responsive to the needs of their patients and organised care and treatment for the individual. Where the service was not appropriate or could not meet a patients’ needs, they were signposted to an alternative service.
- Leaders and managers had positive working relationships with their staff and patients. The service had clear policies and procedures which were easily accessible to staff.
- There was appropriate knowledge and oversight of performance, incidents and events.
Whilst there were no breaches of regulation, the areas the provider should make improvements are:
- Include explanation documentation in staff recruitment files where employment gaps have been identified and reviewed.
- Inform staff to correctly label clinical waste when preparing it for collection.
- Undertake records audits to ensure record keeping and clinical notes are in line with GMC guidance.
Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP
Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care