We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 14 February 2018 to ask the provider the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that the location was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that the location was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that the location was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that the location was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that the location was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of Blossoms Healthcare, Garlick Hill on 14 February 2018 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions, to confirm that legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 were being met. We had previously inspected the location in March 2013, using our old methodology, when we found it was compliant with the regulations applicable at the time. The provider also operates at two other locations in Central London, which we inspected on 20 February 2018.

Before the inspection we reviewed notifications received from and about the service and location, and a standard information questionnaire completed by the provider. During our visit we spoke with the location’s registered manager and doctors, the senior nurse, the location practice manager and administrative staff. We also met some of the provider’s corporate management team. We observed practice and reviewed documents.

Our key findings were:

• The provider had systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the provider learned from them and improved.
• The provider reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence-based guidelines.
• Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
• Services were provided to meet the needs of patients.
• Patient feedback was consistently positive.
• There were clear responsibilities, roles and systems of accountability to support good governance and management.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

We spoke with two people who had recently used the service. These two people said they were listened to and treated with respect. Both people who used the service told us they were happy with the service provided and would continue to regularly use the service. The clinic’s most recent patient survey results were also positive.

The staff were trained in basic life support and knew what to do in the event of a medical emergency. The environment was clean and well organised and we saw that people's privacy was protected. People using the service said the premises were clean and well equipped.

The provider had arrangements in place to make sure people were cared for safely and appropriate checks were carried out before new staff started.

We saw evidence that the quality of the service was effectively monitored and the provider sought feedback from patients.

During the visit we did not have the opportunity to speak to any patients directly. However observation of the practices of the medical centre, discussion with staff and inspection of records indicated that staff protected people’s privacy and dignity and generally treated them with respect. Most felt that staff listened to them and offered them choices about their care and treatment as far as possible.

The premises are well maintained and kept clean and hygienic, and there is a high standard of quality assurance systems in place, with appropriate complaints procedures used effectively. However there is room for improvement in safeguarding adults training, recording medicines received at the centre, addressing issues highlighted in the most recent fire risk assessment, and systems to check on references and qualifications of new staff, and their induction training and supervision.