South Tees PET CT Centre Also known as Alliance Medical Limited

Updated 14 February 2022

South Tees PET-CT (Positron emission tomography–computed tomography) Centre is managed by Alliance Medical Limited (AML) which delivers diagnostic solutions in partnership with public organisations. The service is based in a modular building which can be accessed through the Endeavour Wing, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough.

NHS England has selected a Collaborative Network, led by AML, to provide PET-CT scanning services across 30 locations in England. PET-CT is a directly commissioned service within NHS England. The service has a service level agreement in place with the NHS Trust to deliver positron emission tomography (PET) scanning services.

The procedure combines the pictures from a positron emission tomography (PET) scan and a computed tomography (CT) scan. The PET and CT scans are done at the same time with the same machine. The combined scans give more detailed pictures of areas inside the body than either scan gives by itself. A PET-CT scan is a specialist CT scan with an injection of radioactive isotope. The radioactive isotope injection shows up cells that are active either with disease or inflammation and can help the doctors focus on whether you need further investigations such as a biopsy.

South Tees PET-CT Centre in Middlesbrough specialises in the provision of services relating to diagnostic and screening procedures and services for people 18 years of age and over.

Throughout the inspection, we took account of what people told us and how the provider understood and complied with the Mental Capacity Act 2005

The PET-CT Centre is registered to provide the following regulated activity:

• Diagnostic and screening procedures

The PET-CT Centre has a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

This is the services first inspection since registration by CQC on the 25 July 2018.

Updated 14 February 2022

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 provided good care to patients and made them comfortable. 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 up to five 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 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:

• PET-CT national audit data for PET-CT scan turnaround times from 1 December 2020 to 30 November 2021 showed improvements were required.
• Staff were not confident when discussions took place about the ‘Duty of Candour’.
• Permanent clinical staff had not completed level two adult safeguarding training relevant to their role.
• Some of the corporate policies reviewed were past their review dates.
• It was not clear that staff had completed sepsis training.
• A sepsis management policy was not available for staff to access.
• Staff were not aware of the Alliance Medical Limited strategy and vision for the service.

Updated 14 February 2022

We rated it as good.

See the summary above for details.

We rated this service as good because it was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.