- Independent hospital
Forest Dialysis Unit
Report from 22 October 2024 assessment
Contents
Ratings - Dialysis services
Our view of the service
Date of assessment 5 November and 18 November 2024. We carried out this assessment following information of concern around staffing levels, culture and fire safety. We inspected 10 quality statements across the safe, effective, caring and well-led key questions. We have not inspected this service before and ratings for all new providers are set to good following initial registration checks and assessments, and therefore the ratings for the areas that we have not assessed during this assessment remain as good. There was a good safety culture where events were investigated, and learning was embedded to promote good practice. Staff provided safe care and treatment, and the environment had improved and was now safe and well maintained. However, staffing levels were not always adequate to keep the department and people safe. Staff were trained and had the right skills to meet people's needs. However, many staff felt they did not have time to undertake role specific inductions or training. Staff had opportunities to learn and gain experience but not all staff were aware of how to access all training available to them. Staff delivered good care and treatment following evidence-based practice and people had good outcomes. However, medical reviews were not always happening consistently. Staff wellbeing was not always at the forefront and staff had a perceived sense of risk centred around staffing numbers. Some staff did not feel supported or valued. The department was well-led by leaders who embodied the cultures and values of their service. There was good governance and risk management, and a mostly positive culture. The department was prepared for emergencies and major incidents and worked as part of a multi-agency response. We found 1 breach of regulation 12 in relation to safe and effective staffing and equipment and premises which impacted on care and treatment. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
People's experience of this service
Patients and any family or carers with them were all positive about the staff treating them with warmth and kindness and providing effective care and treatment. Some patients said they were seen promptly when they arrived by familiar trained nursing staff, but some patients reported delays in the start of their treatment. Records showed patients were usually given the tests they needed promptly, and they felt staff were on hand if they needed them for help or support. People said they did not feel anxious about raising concerns. Most said communication with them was good, but some people said they had poor experiences with transport services although these were provided by another healthcare provider.