Farnham Centre for Health is an independent ultrasound service operated by InsideVue. The service registered with the CQC in 2012.

It was last inspected in 2013 under the previous CQC inspection methodology and met the standards that it was measured against.

We inspected this service using our comprehensive inspection methodology. We carried out the unannounced part of the inspection on 5 September 2018.

We rated the service as good overall.

Our key findings were as follows:

• Staff had undertaken mandatory training and training specific to their roles to support the delivery of safe care.

• Staff had the right qualifications, skills and knowledge to do their job.

• Staff understood the principle of assessing mental capacity and best interest decisions but they had not had to apply this knowledge.

• The service was planned and delivered in a way which met the needs of the patients. Patients had timely access to appointments of their choice and staff were flexible in their approach, which ensured patients’ needs were met.

• Staff were aware of their responsibilities within adult and children safeguarding practices and support was available within the hospital for them to protect people in vulnerable circumstances.

• Information on how to raise a concern or complaint was available. Complaints and concerns were responded to in line with the complaints policy.

• Staff were aware of their responsibilities to report incidents and there was a good incident reporting culture amongst staff.

• There was a comprehensive appraisal process where clinical staff were supervised by the clinical lead radiologist.

• The service had a clear vision and strategy that staff knew about.

• The views of staff, patients and stakeholders were gathered and action plans developed to improve the service.

However, there were areas where the service needs to make improvements.

The service should:

• Conduct regular monitoring of hand hygiene, and take action when risks are identified.

• Ensure ultrasound scanners are serviced at regular intervals in line with manufacturers guidelines.

• The service should formalise and minute staff meetings.

Dr Nigel Acheson

Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals

The registered manager was not available on the day of the visit. We were assisted with the inspection by one of the directors of the company and two members of staff.

There were no clinics arranged for the day of our visit so we were unable to speak with people who used the service. We reviewed a sample of people's comments on individual patient feedback forms and the result of the last quarter collated comments on patients satisfaction survey. We found people rated their satisfaction as very good to excellent.

We found that the service sought people’s consent before treatment and care were offered. We saw there was regard for people’s privacy and dignity at the service. People’s care plans reflected their individual wishes and preferences. Staff showed respect for people when they spoke with us and in the language they used in records.

Staff told us they had training in safeguarding children, but had no training in safeguarding adults. This was supported by one of the directors of the company.

We saw risk assessments were in place to ensure people were protected against unsafe practice. The service had systems in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of care people received.