We carried out a scheduled inspection of the Sheffield PET Centre on 5 January 2014. During this inspection we found the provider was not compliant with outcome 16 which is ‘Assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision’. We therefore gave them a compliance action to make sure this area was addressed.

The provider responded by returning an action plan explaining how they had made changes and that they would be compliant by 14 March 2013.

We inspected the service on 21 March to check the changes. The provider had a system in place to identify, assess and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people using the service and others.

People who used the service and their representatives had been asked for their comments about the service and we saw staff at the service had made changes.

We noted results of the staff surveys and minutes of staff meetings were available for staff which meant that staff felt included in the running of the service and listened to by the provider.

There was evidence that learning from incidents / investigations took place and the provider took account of complaints and comments to improve the service. .

This is a scanning centre therefore patients’ needs were assessed and investigations were requested by the referring doctors. Staff from the Patient Management Centre (PMC) for Alliance Medical Limited organised the clinic appointments and informed the staff at the Sheffield PET centre. To ensure we meet patients we contacted the cetre in advace to decide on the date of inspection.

Staff made sure patients had read and understood the procedure by going through it when they arrive at the centre. Since staff were not familiar with the patients they took extra care by going through patients’ details and other relevant information. We noted staff explaining after care following investigation and giving them leaflets with the explanation to take with them.

Appropriate arrangements were in place in relation to obtaining medicine. The manager explained that injections used for scanning were organised and delivered as and when they were needed by PMC.

Patients were safe because, equipment provided and used as part of the scanning activity was installed and maintained by the manufacturers and the provider ensured it complied with relevant legislation.

The provider may find it useful to note that the company policy was not clear on staff supervision and staff at the Sheffield PET centre did not receive formal supervision.

The provider did not effectively monitor the quality of service and take appropriate action.

On the day of our inspection we spoke with two patients who attended the centre and the staff on duty. We also checked various records including information on treatment of patients, staff recruitment and training.

Patients we spoke with said, before they agreed to any investigation they were asked for their consent by the doctor who was requesting for the procedure. Patients said the doctor acted in accordance with their wishes and they were fully informed of the procedure. One patient said, “The consultant explained everything to me. He was very frank. I was told that I would be attending this centre for the test and then I will be returning to him after a few days for the results.” Another patient said, “I was referred to this centre by the consultant who I saw through my GP. The consultant told me what they were suspecting. He was very upfront about it. I agreed to have this scan.”

Patients said the environment was pleasant and clean. There were clear procedures for the staff to follow to ensure the risk of infection was minimised.

Patients had their comments and complaints listened to and acted on, without the fear that they would be discriminated against for making a complaint. Patients who spoke with us said staff asked them for their comments about the service. They said they did not feel the need to complain since everybody they came into contact in the centre was helpful and good.

One patient was spoken with about their experience in the unit and 'patient satisfaction surveys' for the last two months were seen. Patients said they found the experience to be better than they thought it would be, that staff were professional, kind and informative. They felt that overall the unit provided an excellent professional and caring service.