2 Wimpole Street

Updated 9 February 2023

1 to 7 Harley Street is operated by Private Ultrasound Limited. Most patients accessing the service self-refer to the clinic and are all seen as private (self-funding) patients.

The service has a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC to manage the service. 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 provides diagnostic imaging (ultrasound scans only) for patients aged 18 years and 65 years. The service provides pregnancy ultrasound, gynaecological and fertility scans for women, as well as liver, upper abdominal, kidney, bladder and prostate scans for patients. The service no longer provides pregnancy nuchal fold thickness scans and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPTS).

The service leases one clinic room situated on the first floor of a building containing other separately registered healthcare providers.

Activity between January 2022 to December 2022:

• In the reporting period, a total of 1250 scans took place at the service. Of these, 750 were pregnancy growth scans, 38 were anatomy pregnancy scans, 375 were early pregnancy scans, 225 growth and Dopplers scans in 2D or 3D , 38 anatomy scans, 112 reassurance and growth scans, 250 were liver and abdomen scans, 100 neck scans (including thyroid, lumps, bumps, carotid scans), 50 hernia scans, 50 testes scans and 50 pelvic scans.

Track record on safety for the period 2022 to December 2022:

• Zero never events.
• Zero clinical incidents.
• Zero serious injuries.
• Zero complaints.

Services provided at the service under service level agreement:

• Provision of the clinic room, including cleaning
• Waste removal
• Maintenance of ultrasound equipment

There were no special reviews or investigations of the hospital ongoing by the CQC at any time during the 12 months before this inspection. Our inspection team was led by a CQC lead inspector and an assistant inspector.

Updated 9 February 2023

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 and managed safety well. The service-controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to patients and removed or minimised risk where possible.
• Staff provided good care and treatment, gave patients enough to drink, and checked if they were comfortable during their scans. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients. Consent processes were followed, and patients were advised on how to prepare for scans.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their scan results. They provided emotional support to patients where necessary.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of their patient population and took account of most patients’ individual needs. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for an ultrasound scan.
• Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems. Staff understood the service’s vision and values, and how to apply them in their work. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. The service engaged well with patients and all staff were committed to improving services.

However:

• We found the policies were not up to date and did not reference national guidance. During the last inspection, the absence of referencing to national guidance was highlighted as an area the service should take action to improve. On this inspection, we found this had not improved. We raised this with the registered manager who admitted lack of oversight and following the inspection, addressed this.
• Although the service had two trained staff to act as chaperones, it was identified that additional staff considered to act as chaperone in exceptional circumstances should also receive the necessary training.

Victoria Vallance

Director of Secondary and Specialist Healthcare

Updated 9 February 2023

Diagnostic imaging was the main activity at this service. See the overall summary for details.