The Care Quality Commission
  • Hospital
  • NHS hospital

Therapeutic Apheresis Unit - Liverpool

10th Floor, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Prescott Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L7 8XP (0151) 706 3618

Provided and run by:
NHS Blood and Transplant

All Inspections

13 January 2014

During a routine inspection

We found the unit had systems in place to gain and review consent from patients who are referred to this service for treatment. This included a patient consent policy and procedure.

All patients when admitted had been assessed and a treatment plan of care was put into place. This was a nurse led unit and medical assessment had occurred prior to admission at the point of referral. Assessments and treatment plans were in place based on the American Society for Apheresis [ASFA] guidance. Positive comments were made to us from patients about the care and support they had been given, 'Staff here are great, they never leave you alone and they have been so supportive.'

We found that people who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening. Patients received care, treatment and support from staff that were competent to carry out their roles and responsibilities.

We looked at the risk and governance systems operated and found the organisation had a good quality and risk management system in place supported with Quality Manager Roles.

27 September 2012

During a routine inspection

During our visit we spoke with two patients receiving treatment from the service. We later spoke via the telephone with two further people who had been treated by the service. We also spoke with four members of staff who held different roles within the service.

People told us that staff had explained all the treatments and procedures to them prior to commencing treatment and had respected their decisions about their treatment and care. One person explained, 'They answer any question I ask, I signed the consent form and all the risk and benefits were explained.'

Everyone we spoke with told us that they were happy with the care and treatment they had received. Their comments included, 'Care is very good, in fact excellent,' and 'You can't fault this place'.

People told us that staff had provided the support they needed with one person describing them as, 'Marvellous' and another as, 'Very nice, always helpful'.