Venturi Cardiology

This service is rated as Good overall.

The key questions are rated as:

Are services safe? – Good

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? – Good

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Venturi Cardiology as part of our inspection programme. The service has not been previously inspected.

Venturi Cardiology offers clinical consultation and a range of diagnostic tests for cardiovascular screening and cardiology care.

The service had a registered manager. 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 in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

We did not speak to any patients during the inspection but we reviewed feedback received by the provider from patients following their consultations. Feedback was positive and where feedback suggested improvements, changes were made.

Our key findings were:

• The provider had systems and processes for monitoring and managing risks and safety.
• Patients received clear information about the consultation process, diagnostic tests and costs which enabled them to make an informed decision.
• Patients were offered appointments at a time convenient to them and the outcome of consultations and tests were provided in a timely manner.
• Information about services and how to complain was available.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management and worked well together as a team.
• There was a clear strategy and vision for the service.
• The leadership and governance arrangements promoted good quality care.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Check emergency equipment and medication weekly as recommended by the Resuscitation Council UK guidelines.
• Take action to provide training to all staff in meeting the needs of patients with a learning disability or autism.
• Consider providing an independent adjudication service for patients who may not be satisfied with how the provider has managed their complaint.

Dr Sean O’Kelly BSc MB ChB MSc DCH FRCA

Chief Inspector of Hospitals and Interim Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services