So Aesthetics

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

Leaders had put in place a proactive and positive culture of safety based on openness and honesty. Leaders listened to staff when they shared concerns about safety. They ensured lessons were learnt to identify and embed good practices. Staff managed medicines safely and in a way which met people's needs. Leaders ensured medicines and treatments were administered safely. Staff made sure clinic areas were clean and well maintained. Staff wore personal protective equipment where required. Staff were recruited safely. They received an induction and appropriate training in areas such as safeguarding adults and children to keep people safe.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

People reported that staff presented as competent and knowledgeable about the procedures they were undertaking. Staff engaged openly and honestly with people when they identified areas that could be improved. People received feedback about any actions taken.

Staff said there was a strong focus on learning, and they were encouraged and supported to report concerns. Leaders gave feedback promptly, and learning was implemented where needed. Staff attended conferences and learning events where they shared good practice to improve the services they provided. Leaders ensured medicine alerts and national learning from incidents was shared with staff by email and discussed in team meetings.

Leaders had systems and processes in place for staff to raise concerns. They had a policy in place, so staff understood the importance of informing people if things went wrong. Leaders reviewed concerns and learning from these were shared with all staff in meetings.

People told us they were confident they would be referred onto appropriate services if this was required after attending SO Aesthetics. The potential for onward referrals was discussed as part of pre-treatment consultations, particularly for services such as mole removal.

Leaders and staff ensured patients were provided with safe and continuous care. They gave examples of how patients had been referred on to their GP or specialist care when a need was identified and this was recorded in patient notes.

We did not receive any feedback from partners, but the provider showed us evidence of the people and organisations they worked with. The score for this quality statement is based on this evidence.

Systems and processes were in place to ensure referrals were made in a timely way. Where people had a mole or skin lesion removed this was sent to histopathology for review at the local hospital. Results were discussed with people and we saw evidence of ongoing referrals being made and followed up by the clinician involved.

Staff confirmed they were trained to recognise the signs of abuse and they knew where to go for advice and guidance when required.

The provider had a robust system in place for reporting safeguarding to keep people safe from harm. They ensured all staff had received relevant safeguarding training and knew when and how to raise concerns. Leaders were trained to safeguarding adults’ level 3 and all other staff to safeguarding adults’ level 2. Staff received children’s safeguarding level 1 although no children were allowed on the premises. Leaders requested confirmation of age for anyone who appeared to be under the age of 18 before providing treatment. Staff were recruited safely and in accordance with regulations. All necessary pre- employment checks were being completed. This included asking for references and completing checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service. These checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions.

People said the risks of the procedure they were having was fully explained before it went ahead. Staff discussed the risks in detail with people and a consent form signed and recorded in the patient’s records. People were given time to consider if they wanted the treatment to go ahead. People were given aftercare information to take home, and this was emailed to them. Staff made follow up calls to anyone who had a medical procedure.

Staff discussed the potential risks of each type of procedure they offered with patients and ensured they fully understood the risks involved in having treatment.

Leaders had policies in place for each medical procedure they offered. This covered potential risks and how to discuss these with patients. They were clear about the reasons for providing the treatment and when this would be refused. For example, they would not give the steroid injection for hay fever to someone who had not previously tried over the counter remedies or whose condition did not impact on their daily life. Leaders ensured staff were trained in basic life support and the clinic was fully equipped to manage medical emergencies including having a defibrillator onsite if someone had a cardiac arrest.

Leaders ensured staff worked within a safe environment. There was no lone working so during evening hours two staff members were always in the building. There were arrangements in place to monitor the safety and upkeep of the premises.

We observed the building was fit for the purpose the service was using it for. Patients waited in a comfortable waiting room. Clinic rooms were fit for purpose and equipment was properly maintained.

The service had effective arrangements to monitor the safety and upkeep of the premises. Leaders ensured regular medical and electrical equipment testing took place. Clinic rooms had adequate ventilation to prevent the risk of infection during procedures such as mole removal. Leaders had emergency medical equipment in place and staff were trained to manage medical emergencies.

People were able to see the same staff member at a time to suit them. They had no concerns about staffing levels.

Staff told us they received effective support, supervision, and development to deliver safe care. Training was appropriate and relevant to their role.

Leaders had processes in place to monitor staff training and competences to ensure they continued to deliver save care and treatment. Staff training was up to date and staff could request additional training if they found something which was relevant to their role.

People had no concerns about the cleanliness of the clinic. They said the clinic rooms were clean and staff wore gloves and aprons when appropriate to do so.

Staff had completed appropriate infection prevent and control (IPC) training relevant to their role. Staff told us they knew their roles and responsibilities around IPC.

We observed the premises to be visibly clean and tidy and staff were following IPC guidance. All clinic areas had appropriate personal protective (PPE) and hand gel available.

Leaders ensured there was an effective approach to assessing and managing the risk of infection. A policy was in place which was in line with current relevant national guidance. Leaders had no recorded incidents of clinical site infection. Processes were in place for the removal and collection of clinical waste.

People were fully informed about the treatment they were receiving and said staff explained in detail the medicines being used.

Leaders and staff managed medicines well. Where steroid injections were prescribed for hay fever staff explained to patients why this medicine was not licensed for hay fever treatment in the UK. This is termed as 'off-label' use. Off-label means the person prescribing the medicine wants to use it in a different way than stated in its licence. Patients were informed of this and any potential risks before treatment started.

We observed the clinic areas and found medicines were stored safely. Staff completed regular checks of fridge temperatures and emergency medicines and knew the procedures to use if they found and issue such as an out-of-date item. They ensured medicines were in date and replaced when necessary. When a medicine was used the batch number and dose were recorded in the patient notes. Procedures were in place for the safe transportation of medicines if required. All medicines were ordered from suppliers in small batches to avoid waste. Leaders confirmed that they do not use or keep controlled drugs onsite.

Leaders ensured each patient received a follow up call 48hours after treatment so any concerns could be discussed. If a patient raised a concern, they were invited back to the clinic to discuss this with a clinician.