During our last inspection in December 2012, we found that one of the three staff recruitment files reviewed did not contain all the information required. We revisited the service to review whether staff recruitment records had improved and found that improvements had been made. We saw there were effective recruitment and selection processes in place.

We completed an unannounced inspection visit on 13 December 2012, to Canova Medical. We met and spoke with the registered manager during the course of our inspection, however on the day of the visit there were no patients at the clinic. Therefore following the visit as part of the inspection we spoke to people who used the service about the care and support they received.

One person said: "My care was absolutely perfect for me." They also told us they had opportunities to discuss the treatment had time to consider whether or not to go ahead and they were informed of any risks before they consented. One person told us: "The consultant was fantastic, I was treated with dignity and my views, concerns and fears were listened to and allayed." They also said: "I was treated as if I was their only patient and yet I knew there were others who where having surgery on the same day."

The people we spoke with told us they had no concerns they wished to raise. One person said: "I received good care before and after surgery. I had support from the nurse and the consultant and they were very helpful, in fact exceptional, I have no complaints.”

We found that in two of the three staff records reviewed appropriate recruitment checks had taken place however in one staff files we found that appropriate checks had not taken place. This meant that Canova Medical could not always ensure that people were cared for, or supported by, suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

People told us they had been provided with full details about the clinic to include where and when treatment would take place. They felt they were treated with dignity and their privacy was maintained at al times.

People told us that at the initial visit they were consulted about what treatment they required. They said that they were required to give full medical details prior to any cosmetic surgery being carried out.

After that they were given detailed information about any risks or side effects they may experience if surgery was undertaken.

People said they had researched various cosmetic surgery clinics and felt that Canova Medical are very ethical in their practices. People said they feel the clinic provide safe effective personalised treatment.

People told us they were delighted with the services provided. They said that follow up visits and telephone consultations enabled them to discuss outcomes with positive effect.

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Canova Medical on 23 May 2018 to ask the service the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?.

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

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

Are services effective?

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

Are services caring?

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

Are services responsive?

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

Are services well-led?

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

Background Information

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the service was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Canova Medical provides cosmetic surgery consultations, pre-operative assessments and post-operative treatments.

Our key findings were:

• The service had systems in place to keep people safe and safeguarded from abuse.
• Staff understood their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents.
• There were systems in place to reduce risks to patient safety. For example, infection control practices were carried out and there were regular checks on the environment and on equipment used.
• Clinical staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with good practice guidance.
• People who used the service were given information to make an informed decision about their care and treatment.
• Appropriate medical assessments were carried out and detailed records of the outcome of these were maintained.
• An induction programme was in place and staff received specific induction training prior to treating patients.
• Staff had access to standard operating procedures and policies.
• The provider encouraged and acted upon feedback from people who used the service. Survey information we reviewed showed that people who used the service had given positive feedback about their experience. Feedback we received from people who used the service was positive.

• Information about how to complain was available.
• The provider had a clear vision to provide a safe, good quality service.

• There were systems in place to check on the quality of the service.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice