Archived: Ear Matters Exeter

This service is rated as Good overall and this is the first inspection since the service registered.

The key questions are rated as:

Are services safe? – Good

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? – Good

We carried out a comprehensive inspection at Ear Matters Exeter as part of our inspection programme. Ear Matters Exeter provides an ear wax removal service using microsuction.

This service is registered with CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of the services it provides.

The service is provided by two registered nurses one of whom is the registered manager and the other the nominated individual. 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. The service does not employ any other staff. For the purpose of this report we will refer to the nominated individual and registered manager as the ‘staff’.

The service operates from premises managed by another provider. Reception staff, who are not employed by Ear Matters Exeter, greet patients on their arrival to the clinic.

Our key findings were:

• The service had systems to manage risk, keep patients safe, and safeguarded from abuse.
• Patients’ electronic records provided detailed information regarding their care and treatment which was shared with appropriate clinicians when necessary.
• Care and treatment was delivered following current evidence based practice guidelines.
• Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles.
• Staff were kind and respectful to patients and provided information to enable them to be involved in decisions about their care and treatment.
• The service was organised to meet patients’ needs and responded positively to feedback from patients.
• The service had a clear vision and strategy to deliver high quality care.
• Staff were aware of their divided responsibilities to support good governance and management.

Dr Sean O’Kelly BSc MB ChB MSc DCH FRCA

Chief Inspector of Hospitals and Interim Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services