CARE London

Updated 2 June 2023

CARE London is operated by CARE Fertility. CARE London is a private, specialist-led fertility service in Central London. CARE London undertakes diagnostic tests, including ultrasounds and blood tests as well as fertility treatments and the surgical procedure hysteroscopy.

The hysteroscopy service is the only part of the service which is subject to regulation by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The service is also licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).

CARE London registered with the CQC in December 2010. The service primarily serves the communities of London and surrounding areas. It also accepts patient referrals from outside this area.

We last inspected the service in December 2012. At that time, we did not rate services, but the service met the standard required.

The service has a registered manager who had been registered with CQC since August 2021.

Updated 2 June 2023

This was the first time we had rated this service. We rated it as good because:

• The service had enough staff to care for patients and keep them safe. Staff had training in key skills, understood how to protect patients from abuse, and managed safety well. Staff understood how to protect patients from abuse. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records.
• Staff provided good care and treatment. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, advised them on how to lead healthier lives, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. They provided emotional support to patients, families and carers.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of patients, took account of patients’ individual needs, and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait for treatment.
• Leaders ran the service well, using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff understood the service’s values and how to apply them in their work. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. The service engaged well with patients to plan and manage services.

However:

• The service did not always control infection risks or manage medicines safety well. Clinical waste was not stored securely. Medications used for training were not clearly marked as such or stored securely.

Nicola Wise

Interim Director of Secondary and Specialist Healthcare

Updated 2 June 2023

See overall summary