Guildford Diagnostic Imaging

Updated 2 February 2022

Guildford Diagnostic Imaging is operated by Alliance Medical Ltd. The unit is located behind the local NHS hospital building on the ground floor. It can be accessed internally from the main hospital and by the unit’s own entrance. The service provides Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography- Computerised tomography (PET-CT) scanning. Approximately 500 PET-CT scans and 1400 MRI scans are carried out each month.

Most referrals are from NHS trusts in Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and Middlesex but there are some direct private MRI referrals from GPs in the local area. Most referrals are for adults but the service also provides PET CT scans for children aged 16 – 17, and MRI scans to children aged 7 years and above.

Radiographers, clinical assistants and non-clinical staff are employed by Alliance Medical Ltd. Radiology input is provided by the NHS trust.

The service has a registered manager who has been in post since 2018. It is registered to provide the following regulated activities;

• Diagnostic and screening services

The service was last inspected in January 2019 . All key questions were rated as good apart from effective which was not rated.

Updated 2 February 2022

Our rating of this location stayed the same. We rated it as good because:

• The service had enough staff to care for patients and keep them safe. Staff had training in key skills, understood how to protect patients from abuse, and managed safety well. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them. Staff collected safety information and used it to improve the service.
• Staff provided good care to patients. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, advised them on how to lead healthier lives, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information. Services were available to support timely patient care.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. They provided emotional support to patients, families and carers.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of local people, took account of patients’ individual needs, and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for a diagnostic procedure.
• Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff understood the service’s vision and values, and how to apply them in their work. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities. The service engaged well with patients and the community to plan and manage services and all staff were committed to improving services continually.

Updated 2 February 2022

Our rating of this location stayed the same. We rated it as good because:

• The service had enough staff to care for patients and keep them safe. Staff had training in key skills, understood how to protect patients from abuse, and managed safety well. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them. Staff collected safety information and used it to improve the service.
• Staff provided good care to patients. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, advised them on how to lead healthier lives, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information. Services were available to support timely patient care.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. They provided emotional support to patients, families and carers.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of local people, took account of patients’ individual needs, and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for a diagnostic procedure.
• Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff understood the service’s vision and values, and how to apply them in their work. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities. The service engaged well with patients and the community to plan and manage services and all staff were committed to improving services continually.

However:

• People could not always access the premises easily due to poor signposting and parking facilities.