We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 18 July 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.

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.

Sussex Community Dermatology Services – Central Admin Hub is a NHS outpatients’ clinic providing minor surgery in dermatology for adults and children. Procedures offered include surgical treatment of skin cancers including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, the surgical treatment of moles, cysts, photodynamic therapy (a chemical interaction between light and a light activated cream to treat skin cancer) and treatment for acne. Surgical treatments are carried out under local anaesthetic. Around 34,000 patients are have been seen by the service since it opened nine years ago. Patients are seen at the main site and at 33 satellite locations. Of the total number of patients receiving treatment, 6,000 are under the age of 18 years and around 6,000 are over the age of 85.

This service is registered with CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of the provision of advice or treatment by, or under the supervision of, a medical practitioner.

Dr Russell Emerson and Dr Fiona Emerson are the registered managers. 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 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

We received 32 comment cards from patients providing feedback about the service provided by this service and three other services registered at the same location, all of which were very positive about the standard of care they received. The service was described as professional and efficient and staff were described as welcoming, friendly and caring. There were also comments about the cleanliness of the premises. There was one comment about the lack of car parking spaces while another comment commended the good access to parking on the premises.

Our key findings were:

• There was a system for reporting, recording, sharing and learning from safety.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• The treatment rooms were well organised and equipped, with good light and ventilation.
• The provider assessed patients according to appropriate guidance and standards.
• Staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients. Staff were up to date with current guidelines.
• Risks to patients were well managed. For example, there were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.
• Medicines were stored safely.
• Systems were in place to deal with medical emergencies. Clinical staff were trained in basic life support and the provider had appropriate emergency equipment and medicines in place.
• Staff were kind, caring and put patients at their ease.
• Patients were provided with information about their health and with advice and guidance to support them to live healthier lives.
• The provider was aware of, and complied with, the requirements of the Duty of Candour.