Love2Latch

Updated 9 May 2022

The provider offers tongue tie services in Northamptonshire. Tongue tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a condition where the strip of skin connecting the babies’ tongue to the bottom of their mouth is shorter than usual. Some babies require a surgical intervention to release the tongue, which is known as a frenulotomy. The provider carries out assessments of tongue function and feeding assessments prior to carrying out frenulotomy procedures.

The provider is qualified to provide frenulotomy divisions for babies up to the age of one year. Divisions on older babies with teeth are referred to the local NHS team or to the patient’s GP.

The service has been registered with the CQC to undertake the regulated activity of surgical procedures since 29 April 2019. The registered manager is Mrs Jacynth Percis Nicholson.

The registered manager is a sole trader and is the clinician who provides the regulated activity. They are a registered midwife and are registered with the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) for feeding. They are listed as an approved independent Tongue Tie Practitioner with the Association of Tongue Tie Practitioners (ATP).

In addition to the frenulotomy service, the provider offers baby feeding and lactation support services which are not regulated by CQC. Appointments are offered at the provider’s company in Northampton. Appointments in people’s homes have been suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions. There are up to eight appointments available each week and bookings are taken via the provider’s website. These appointments are a mixture of assessments for treatment and for surgical divisions. From January to December 2021 the provider carried out 261 frenulotomies.

Updated 9 May 2022

We carried out an inspection of Love2Latch using our comprehensive methodology on 22 March 2022. The service has not previously been inspected. We gave the provider short notice of the inspection date to ensure their availability on the day.

We rated this service good because it was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

This was the first time we inspected the service. We rated it as good because:

• The design, maintenance and use of facilities, premises and equipment kept people safe. Staff were trained to use them. Staff managed clinical waste well.
• Staff completed and updated risk assessments for each patient and removed or minimised risks. Staff identified and quickly acted upon patients at risk of deterioration.
• The provider followed national guidance and evidence-based practice.
• There was evidence of quality monitoring through regular audit.
• The process of seeking and recording consent was thorough and included sufficient information to allow for informed decisions to be made.
• 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.
• It was easy for people to give feedback and raise concerns about care received.
• There was a high level of aftercare available to parents following their procedure.

However:

• At the time of our inspection, the lack of a handwashing facility within the treatment room meant staff did not always control infection risk well.
• The registered manager had no record of peer review.

Updated 9 May 2022

We carried out an inspection of Love2Latch using our comprehensive methodology on 22 March 2022. The service has not previously been inspected. We gave the provider short notice of the inspection date to ensure their availability on the day.

We rated this service good because it was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

This was the first time we inspected the service. We rated it as good because:

• The design, maintenance and use of facilities, premises and equipment kept people safe. Staff were trained to use them. Staff managed clinical waste well.
• Staff completed and updated risk assessments for each patient and removed or minimised risks. Staff identified and quickly acted upon patients at risk of deterioration.
• The provider followed national guidance and evidence-based practice.
• There was evidence of quality monitoring through regular audit.
• The process of seeking and recording consent was thorough and included sufficient information to allow for informed decisions to be made.
• 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.
• It was easy for people to give feedback and raise concerns about care received.
• There was a high level of aftercare available to parents following their procedure.

However:

• At the time of our inspection, the lack of a handwashing facility within the treatment room meant staff did not always control infection risk well.
• The registered manager had no record of peer review.