We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 1 October 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

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.

NHS Clapham SPMS is an independent provider of medical services. The service provides ultrasound services for pregnant patients only, at two sites in Lambeth.

Our key findings were:

• The service had systems in place to manage significant events.
• Policies and procedures were in place to govern all relevant areas.
• The service had risk management procedures in place including those to minimise the risk of infection.
• Sonographers assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance.
• The service had systems in place for monitoring and auditing the care that had been provided.
• Staff had been trained in areas relevant to their role.
• Patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect.
• Information about services was available and easy to understand. The complaints system was clear and was clearly advertised.
• The service had good facilities and was well equipped to manage patients and meet their needs.
• The service sought feedback from patients, which showed that a large majority of patients were satisfied with the service they had received.
• The service was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

The practice had systems in place to maintain the health and welfare of people using the service. The practice regularly monitored and consulted people who were using the service. People who used the service had their health needs assessed and care and treatment was tailored to the individual.

There were processes in place to protect people using the service from abuse. Staff were knowledgeable in recognising signs of potential abuse and the relevant reporting processes.

There were appropriate recruitment and selection processes in place. The records we saw showed that staff had the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience to support people using the service.

There were processes in place to monitor the quality of the service. Learning from complaints and significant events was shared amongst the staff team.