We spoke with eight patients; all confirmed that they had signed a consent form before surgery. One patient said, "before the operation they (clinical staff) explained what I was having done and I signed a consent form. They asked if I was happy with everything.” Another patient said, “I signed when I got there (hospital) to do the operation.” Patient records viewed showed that all had signed a consent form before having surgery.

Patients' needs were assessed and care and treatment planned and delivered in line with their individual plan of care. Patients attending the clinic for their six week post operation check-up, told us they were happy with the care and treatment they had received and that this was explained to them in a way they understood. For example, one patient who had a cataract operation on one eye told us staff had been "brilliant, so good I want the other one done."

Patients told us that clinical staff washed their hands before carrying out an examination and most felt the clinic was clean. Patient comments included, “it is clean,” “not bad as far as hospitals go,” and “tidy.” Most patients said they observed staff washing their hands or using hand gel. There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk of infection. There was an effective system in place for assessing and monitoring the quality of the service patients received.

We spoke with three patients during our inspection. They were all very happy with the care and treatment provided and with the results of their eye surgery. A patient described the outcome as a “miracle.” One patient described the service as “a very fine service” and another said, “staff were so lovely, I could have been the Queen of England!”

Patients were able to express their views and were involved in decisions about their care and treatment. The risks and benefits of care and treatment had been explained to them. Patients told us they had been treated respectfully and their privacy and dignity maintained throughout. The service was flexible and able to accommodate patients’ individual needs. Patients felt confident in the staff treating them. A patient told us “they are an amazing team and brilliant at their jobs."

Staff worked in cooperation with other health professionals and shared information about them appropriately. The provider monitored the service to make sure that an appropriate standard of care and treatment was provided. Records kept by the service were accurate and fit for purpose.