Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre passes quality inspection with flying colours

Company news

Mar 18, 2014

Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre has passed a national quality inspection with flying colours.

Earlier this month the centre, off Old Wells Road, received an unannounced inspection from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England.

The inspection team reviewed the centre’s performance and confirmed that the centre meets the Government’s five standards of quality and safety which are:

• Respecting and involving people who use services          
• Care and welfare of people who use services                    
• Management of medicines                                                        
• Supporting workers
• Complaints                                                                 

Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre is operated by Care UK and services are commissioned by Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group. The centre provides treatment in a range of specialties including orthopaedics, ear, nose and throat, gynaecology, general surgery, urology and ophthalmology, as well as providing diagnostic services such as MRI, ultrasound and x-ray.

The CQC inspectors’ report praised the centre, saying that patients understood the care and treatment choices available to them. One patient said: “I received a really good patient information pack at the beginning. Since then everything has been fully explained to me.” Praise was also given to an application that can be downloaded to patients’ smart phones or tablet computers, showing them how to perform post-operative exercises that are crucial to their recovery.

During their visit the CQC inspectors also said: “Patients were supported in promoting their independence and community involvement. Patients told us they had discussions with a physiotherapist and occupational therapist before their operation and received information about the treatment they would receive post operation. This included information and aids to help them regain their mobility and independence after the operation and when they went home.”

Chester Barnes, hospital director at Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre, said: “We are very pleased with the positive feedback in the CQC inspection report, particularly the comments made by our patients. This inspection outcome reflects the dedicated work of the entire team at the centre.”