We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of on 19 September 2018 to ask the service provider 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.

This service is registered with CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of some, but not all, of the services it provides. There are some exemptions from regulation by CQC which relate to particular types of service and these are set out in of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

This service is registered with CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of the provision of diagnostics and screening, minor surgery and the treatment of disease, disorder and injury.

The service was accessible to people who were referred to use it. Some services were provided on behalf of NHS services. For example, providing diabetic education, support services for GP practices and the facilitation of healthcare apps for patients with long term conditions. Some services were private. For example, minor surgery no longer provided on the NHS.

Our key findings were:

• Sentinel Healthcare offered both NHS services and private services no longer available on the NHS. The service worked for local clinical commissioning groups, third sector organisations, private healthcare organisations and other NHS organisations, including NHS Trusts.

• The provider demonstrated to us on the day of inspection they understood the needs of the local health community and had used this understanding to fill healthcare gaps, support additional services and meet patient needs.

• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.

• The service had systems in place to identify, investigate and learn from incidents relating to the safety of patients and staff members.

• Procedures were safely managed and there were effective levels of patient support and aftercare advice.

• There were systems, processes and practices in place to safeguard patients from abuse.

• Information for patients was comprehensive and accessible.

• Staff had the relevant skills, knowledge and experience to deliver the care and treatment offered by the service.

• The service had processes in place to securely share relevant information with others such as the patient’s GP, NHS organisations and when required, safeguarding bodies and private healthcare facilities.

• The service encouraged and valued feedback from patients via in-house surveys and the website.

There were areas where the provider should make improvements:

• Review systems for the governance of appraisals, recruitment and training records.

• Clarify the organisations statement and action to be taken regarding the requirements of the duty of candour.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of on 19 September 2018 to ask the service provider 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.

This service is registered with CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of some, but not all, of the services it provides. There are some exemptions from regulation by CQC which relate to particular types of service and these are set out in of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

This service is registered with CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of the provision of diagnostics and screening, minor surgery and the treatment of disease, disorder and injury.

The service was accessible to people who were referred to use it. Some services were provided on behalf of NHS services. For example, providing diabetic education, support services for GP practices and the facilitation of healthcare apps for patients with long term conditions. Some services were private. For example, minor surgery no longer provided on the NHS.

Our key findings were:

• Sentinel Healthcare offered both NHS services and private services no longer available on the NHS. The service worked for local clinical commissioning groups, third sector organisations, private healthcare organisations and other NHS organisations, including NHS Trusts.
• The provider demonstrated to us on the day of inspection they understood the needs of the local health community and had used this understanding to fill healthcare gaps, support additional services and meet patient needs.
• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• The service had systems in place to identify, investigate and learn from incidents relating to the safety of patients and staff members.
• Procedures were safely managed and there were effective levels of patient support and aftercare advice.
• There were systems, processes and practices in place to safeguard patients from abuse.
• Information for patients was comprehensive and accessible.
• Staff had the relevant skills, knowledge and experience to deliver the care and treatment offered by the service.
• The service had processes in place to securely share relevant information with others such as the patient’s GP, NHS organisations and when required, safeguarding bodies and private healthcare facilities.
• The service encouraged and valued feedback from patients via in-house surveys and the website.

There were areas where the provider should make improvements:

• Review systems for the governance of appraisals, recruitment and training records.
• Clarify the organisations statement and action to be taken regarding the requirements of the duty of candour.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice