We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Durnford Medical Centre (Independent Health Dermatology service provided by Durnford Health Care Ltd) on 26 April 2019 as part of our inspection programme and have rated this service as Good overall.

The key questions are rated as:

Are services safe? – Good

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? – Good

Durnford Medical Centre is an Independent Health service, provided by Durnford Health Care Ltd, which operates out of a GP Practice and provides both a medical and surgical dermatology service for all patients over the age of 12 years.

The service made use of patient feedback as a measure to improve services. They had produced their own annual survey and the results had been analysed. Results from the most recent survey found that 100% of patients rated the service as very good or excellent.

We received 29 Care Quality Commission comment cards. These were very positive regarding the care delivered by the service and mentioned the friendly and caring attitude of staff. Responses stated that the service was professional and easy to access in clean and comfortable surroundings. We spoke to four patients who had used the service who said that they felt listened to and had received excellent support and were treated with dignity.

The operations manager who is also one of the directors is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Our key findings were:

• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place to report and record incidents.
• There were well established governance and monitoring systems which were effectively applied and were fully understood by staff.
• There were systems and processes in place to safeguard patients from abuse and staff were able to access relevant training to keep patients safe.
• Patients said they were fully involved in their treatment plans and making decisions about their treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• Clinicians assessed patients according to appropriate guidance and standards such as those issued by the British Association of Dermatologists.
• All members of staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support patients.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.
• Patient outcomes were evaluated, analysed and reviewed as part of quality improvement processes and clinical audit.

Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGPChief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care