We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 12 April 2018 to ask the service the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this service was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this service was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this service was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this service was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this service was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the service was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Linia Skin Clinic is a consultant led dermatology service. The service provides medical dermatology, and also aesthetic procedures which are not regulated by the CQC. Therefore, at Linia Skin Clinic, we were only able to inspect the services which were subject to regulation.

Linia Skin Clinic is located at 64 Harley Street London W1G 7HB, the premises are located on the third floor. The property is leased by the provider, the provider occupies two consulting rooms a shared patient reception area with Harley Health Village operated by Linia Ltd a private hospital.

Linia Skin Clinic provides private dermatology services which are available to any fee paying patient aged 18 and over.

Patients using the service book an appointment in advance. On attending patients are given a registration form to complete, they are then examined. Based on the examination and medical history a prescription will be issued, or patients will be discharged or a follow up appointment will be offered. Patients are seen by the doctor who is registered with a licence to practice, however is not on the specialist register and is not on the GP register.

The service is operated by one doctor supported by an aesthetician.

The service is open Monday to Friday 10am to 7.30pm however the service only provides dermatology on a Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 7.30pm. The service does not offer out of hours services.

The service has a registered manager, 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. The service is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide the regulated activities diagnostic and screening procedures and treatment of disease, disorder or injury.

As part of our inspection we also asked for CQC comment cards to be completed by patients prior to our inspection. We received 13 comment cards all of which were positive about the standard of care received.

Our key findings were:

• The provider had a clear vision to deliver high quality care for patients.
• There were systems and processes in place for reporting and recording significant events and sharing lessons to make sure action could be taken to improve safety in the practice.
• The service had clearly defined systems, processes and practices to minimise risks to patient safety.
• Policies and procedures were in place to govern all relevant areas.
• The service had adequate arrangements to respond to emergencies.
• Staff were aware of and used current evidence based guidance relevant to their area of expertise to provide effective care.
• Staff had the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment.
• There was an effective system in place for obtaining patients’ consent.
• The service had systems and processes in place to ensure that patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in decisions about their care and treatment.
• The service had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management.
• The clinic was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Consider implementing a business continuity plan.