Preston PET CT Centre

Updated 3 January 2022

Preston PET CT Centre is operated by Alliance Medical Limited. The service has been providing specialist diagnostic services since July 2007 in a purpose-built facility within an NHS hospital. Most patients are referred from NHS hospitals and services, including the hospital in which the service is based. The clinic accepted some referrals from independent providers if they were clinically appropriate.

The service delivers positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) diagnostic imaging services to the Lancashire and South Cumbria region.

We last inspected the service in July 2019 and rated it Good overall.

Updated 3 January 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. They managed medicines well. 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 and monitored their pain. 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. Key services were available seven days a week.
• 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:

• Learning from incidents not always widely shared to promote learning.
• Supervisions related to incidents were not always clearly documented.
• The service level agreement with the host NHS trust was not effective in ensuring building maintenance was completed in a timely manner.
• Infection control risks in non-clinical areas were not given priority.

Updated 3 January 2022

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

• The service provided mandatory training in key skills to all staff and made sure everyone completed it.
• Staff understood how to protect patients from abuse and the service worked well with other agencies to do so. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it.
• The service controlled clinical infection risk well. Staff used equipment and control measures to protect patients, themselves and others from infection. They kept equipment and the premises visibly clean.
• Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals worked together as a team to benefit patients. They supported each other to provide good care.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, and took account of their individual needs.
• The service was inclusive and took account of patients’ individual needs and preferences. Staff made reasonable adjustments to help patients access services.
• Leaders had the skills and abilities to run the service. They understood and managed the priorities and issues the service faced. They were visible and approachable in the service for patients and staff. They supported staff to develop their skills and take on more senior roles.

However:

• Infection control risks in non-clinical areas were not given priority.
• Supervisions implemented to address specific needs were not always documented or tracked.
• Facilities managed under a service level agreement were not always effectively maintained.