We carried out a review of the data available to us about Ironstone Centre on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Ironstone Centre, you can give feedback on this service.
This service is rated as Good overall.
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 an announced comprehensive inspection at Ironstone Centre as part of our inspection schedule and in response to concerns. CQC had received notifications of significant incidents and whistleblowing concerns. CQC had been assured the provider had put systems in place to improve in response to the incidents and whistleblowing concerns and we looked at the effectiveness of these systems during this inspection.
The location, Ironstone centre, provides community dermatology services for patients in North and North East Lincolnshire. This is an NHS secondary care service and access is via GP referral.
At the time of the inspection the service did not have a registered manager but evidence an application for this role had been submitted to CQC was provided after the inspection. 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.
Our key findings were:
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP
Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care
Patient's needs were assessed and their treatment was delivered in line with their individual treatment plan. We saw that information in relation to each patient's medical history, examinations and follow ups were all recorded on a computerised system.
Training records showed that all staff had completed training in relation to safeguarding of vulnerable adults and safeguarding of vulnerable children. The safeguarding lead explained, 'I have done safeguarding level three training as part as my role as the safeguarding lead.'
There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. We saw that personal protective equipment was used appropriately. Hand washing facilities with automatic sensor taps as well as dispensable soap and sanitizers were available in every clinical room.
A receptionist we spoke with said, 'As you can see we use a patient satisfaction box so patients can let us know what they thought of the service.' A patient satisfaction box allows the patient to rate the service from one to ten. A patient we spoke with said, 'My token is going in to the ten, as always I am really happy with the service.'
We found the provider had a system for gaining consent from patients, including particular procedures for gaining consent from children and adults who did not have capacity. Patient records included assessments, treatment plans and reference to appropriate guidance to ensure the care offered was appropriate.
The provider had contracts with the owners of the buildings where clinics took place, ensuring buildings, equipment and infection control related issues reflected their obligations under Care Quality Commission registration. Staff were recruited appropriately and they provided training, supervision and support. The provider had a complaints procedure that was fit for purpose and allowed the provider to learn and improve from consideration of unfortunate incidents.