We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 11 March 2019 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.

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.

Edgcare at The Royal Free Hospital is an independent doctor service based in North London. The provider supplies private general practitioner services. Dr Mark Semler 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:

• Systems were in place to keep people who used the service safeguarded from abuse.
• There was a protocol in place to ensure identity checks were undertaken when a patient presented at the service for the first time.
• Doctors made use of NICE guidelines and shared learning from complex patient cases.
• The service had systems to update external bodies such as GPs and consultants of care being provided to patients.
• All staff members were up-to-date with training relevant to their role.
• Systems were in place to protect personal information about people who used the service.
• The service carried out assessments to identify and mitigate risks including those associated with fire and infection.
• The service used a range of visual and written materials to help people understand and make decisions about their care and treatment.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice