The Care Quality Commission
  • Hospital
  • Independent hospital

Southampton Alliance MRI Unit

Overall: Requires improvement read more about inspection ratings

Royal South Hants Hospital, Brintons Terrace, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 0YG (023) 8071 2071

Provided and run by:
Alliance Medical Limited

All Inspections

31 May 2022

During a routine inspection

Our rating of this service went down. We rated it as requires improvement 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. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them. The service mostly controlled infection risk well
  • Staff provided good care and treatment. 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 to suit patients' needs.
  • 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 treatment.
  • 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:

  • They did not always manage medicines well. There were out of date emergency medicines. Medicines that needed to be stored between 2°c and 8°c were not managed effectively. This was a repeated instance of failing to ensure the proper and safe management of medicines.

11 March 2013

During a routine inspection

During our inspection we spoke with one person who was attending the unit for a scan. The person said the unit was 'very good.'

We found that people were given all the information they needed to make a decision about their care.

We observed staff were businesslike to people at reception and when speaking to people on the telephone. We observed minimal rapport between staff and people.

People told us that they liked the service because they were seen at the same time they consulted with the doctor at the ISTC. People were treated in the department for a short period of time for diagnostic screening as part of their outpatient's appointment. One person said 'One person said 'they were very good. Told me what was happening and when.'

There were effective systems in place to ensure that the clinic was clean, hygienic and fit for purpose. The areas we saw in the clinic were clean.

Sufficient staff were not employed to be able to provide the service. Staff were working extra hours to cover the shortage. We found that training was provided by the provider but no all staff were up to date.

People's complaints were fully investigated and resolved, where possible, to their satisfaction. Information about the complaints process was available at reception.

20 March 2012

During a routine inspection

During our visit we spoke with two patients who had received a radiology service. They both expressed total satisfaction with the service they received. They could not fault the care, which was brief, but overall well explained.

One person we spoke with had used the service about a year ago and due to their surgery having been delayed, for health reasons, was having more x-rays prior to surgery. They told us that the 'staff were very friendly and helpful'.

Another person told us that they had had their appointment with the consultant that morning and was now coming for their ultrasound scan. They were pleased that they didn't have to come back for another appointment as it meant taking time off work. They hadn't realised till now that it was here at the hospital.