BMI Lincoln is operated by InHealth. The service provides MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) diagnostic facilities for adults.

We inspected MRI diagnostic facilities for adults only.

We inspected this service using our comprehensive inspection methodology. We carried out the unannounced inspection on 06 August 2018.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we ask the same five questions of all services: are they safe, effective, caring, responsive to people's needs, and well-led? Where we have a legal duty to do so we rate services’ performance against each key question as outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

Throughout the inspection, we took account of what people told us and how the provider understood and complied with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

The main service provided by this unit was MRI.

Services we rate

We rated this service as good.

We found good practice in relation to diagnostic imaging:

• There were effective systems in place to keep people protected from avoidable harm.

• There were sufficient numbers of staff with the necessary skills, experience and qualifications to meet patients’ needs.

• There was a programme of mandatory training in key safety areas, which all staff completed, and systems for checking staff competencies.

• Equipment was maintained and serviced appropriately and the environment was visibly clean.

• Staff were trained and understood what to do if a safeguarding issue was identified. We saw evidence of this in practice.

• Records were up to date and complete and kept protected from unauthorised access.

• Medicines were managed in line with best practice.

• Incidents were reported, investigated and learning was implemented.

• The service used evidence based processes and best practice, this followed recognised protocols. Scans were timely, effective and reported on in good time.

• Staff were competent in their field and kept up to date with their professional practice.

• The service worked well with internal and external colleagues and partnership working was strong.

• Staff demonstrated a kind and caring approach to their patients, supported their emotional needs and provided reassurance.

• Appointments were available during the evening and at weekends and at short notice if required.

• The referral to scan times and scan to reporting times were appropriate and well within expected ranges.

• The service had few complaints but acted upon feedback from patients and staff.

• The service had supportive, competent managers who led by example. Staff understood and were invested in the vision and values of the organisation. The culture was positive and staff demonstrated pride in the work and the service provided.

• Risks were identified, assessed and mitigated. Performance was monitored and data used to seek improvements for both staff and patients.

• Engagement with staff, stakeholders and partners was a strong feature of the service.

However, we also found the following issues that the service provider needs to improve:

• We noted that the key to the MRI room was left in the door. This was behind a fob controlled door but we raised this as a potential safety concern with the manager and the staff as a disorientated patient or relative may exit the changing/toilet area and inadvertently walk into the unlocked MRI room prior to screening. Staff said the key was left in the door ‘because it always had been’.

Following this inspection, we told the provider that it should consider other improvements, even though a regulation had not been breached, to help the service improve. Details are at the end of the report.

Professor Ted Baker

Chief Inspector of Hospitals

As part of our inspection we spoke with three people who used the service and two people’s relatives. We found all of the people we spoke with were very complimentary about the service they received and told us they found the staff kind and supportive.

One person we spoke with told us, “Obviously no one wants a scan unless it’s necessary but if I had to have one I’d come back here.” Another person told us, “The staff were so happy and smiling. They helped me on and off the bed and made me very relaxed.”

We found that people completed a consent form before their scan and the procedure was explained to them. When we talked with staff and examined people’s records we found care was planned and delivered in a way that maintained their welfare and safety.

The provider, InHealth, was responsible for delivering a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) service and worked closely with the BMI Lincoln private hospital. We found that people’s welfare and safety was protected as they moved between services and InHealth cooperated fully with the hospital.

Medicines were stored, recorded and administered appropriately. There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs.