We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 29 March 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 with the exception of no systems in place for; monitoring the cleaning schedule, checking that staff had read and actioned safety alerts, and no fire evacuation drill had been undertaken prior to our inspection. All of this was corrected by the provider the next working day.

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, with the exception of staff recruitment files where the provider had not kept (on the day of inspection) in a central database, all the relevant information in line with the relevant regulations. For some individuals not all of the information was contained in their files, for example, some of their training certificates were kept offsite. This was corrected by the provider the same working day.

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.

The service provides private GP services in addition to health checks, medicals, and assessments of health and fitness.

The managing director is the registered manager. A registered manager is 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.

Five people provided feedback about the service as part of our inspection. All five were positive about the service they received. Patients commented that staff at the clinic were friendly, helpful, caring and welcoming.

Our key findings were:

• There was a proactive approach to dealing with significant events.
• The clinic had a safe approach to dealing with ‘z-drugs’ (types of hypnotic medicines which can be high risk over long term use).
• Care of patients with long term conditions was thorough and patient-specific.
• Communication among the team was regular and effective.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect.

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

• Review staff recruitment files to ensure they contain all relevant information including proof of identity, DBS checks, full employment history and training.
• Retain training certificates (and training update due dates) for clinicians on file.
• Conduct an annual fire evacuation drill
• Introduce a system to satisfy themselves that all clinicians have read and acted upon MHRA (The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) alerts.