Archived: London Medical Aesthetic Clinic - 1 Harley Street

Updated 7 September 2021

London Medical Aesthetic Clinic - 1 Harley Street is operated by Medical And Aesthetic Clinic Limited. The service’s main activity involves non-surgical cosmetic treatments which are not subject to regulation by the Care Quality Commission. The clinic also provides pre and post-surgical care made up of surgical consultations as well as post-operative follow up of patients. Surgical procedures were not performed at this clinic. Instead, these were performed at other clinics and hospitals which are not part of this service, but where the consultant had practising privileges. Practising privileges are a well-established system of checks and agreements whereby doctors can practice in hospitals without being directly employed by them.

The service opened in 2008. and primarily serves the communities of London and the south east areas. The clinic also accepts patients referrals from outside this area. The service now specialises exclusively in SmartLipo surgery which is a laser-assisted minimally invasive technique for removal of excess body fat. Smartlipo is a minimally invasive, laser-assisted lipolysis procedure that targets trouble spots like the abdomen, thighs and neck, and eliminates fat. Facilities at the clinic include include one treatment room, one admission/recovery room, one consulting room and a reception area. The service has no overnight beds. We were told the service sees between 150 to 200 patients a year. The service has had a registered manager in post since May 2008. The service was previously inspected in 2017 and was not rated as the CQC did not have the powers to do so at the time. However, breaches of regulations 17- Good Governance; staff were not trained at an appropriate safeguarding level and regulation 18 – Staffing; staff were not trained in Mental Capacity Act were found during that inspection. We followed up on these concerns with this inspection. We found these concerns had been addressed with significant improvements which are reported in more detail in the following report.

What people who use the service say

Patients we spoke with were all very positive about the service they received and the staff who provided it. Patients we spoke with told us they were offered emotional support during their ultrasound procedure.

Updated 7 September 2021

This service has not previously been rated. 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. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to patients acted on them and kept good care records. They managed medicines well.
• Staff collected safety information and used it to improve the service.
• Staff provided good care and treatment, gave patients enough time to reflect and ask questions, and gave them pain relief when they needed it. 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 their procedures and supported them to make decisions about their care. Key services were available five days a week.
• The design, maintenance and use of facilities, premises and equipment kept people safe. Staff were trained to use them. Staff managed clinical waste well. They kept equipment and the premises visibly clean.
• Staff completed and updated risk assessments for each patient and removed or minimised risks. Staff identified and quickly acted upon patients at risk of deterioration.
• Services were sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of patients. Clinic opening times could be extended in the event a patient required an urgent treatment.
• The service had a complaints policy in place and had received no formal complaints in the reporting period from April 2020 to March 2021. There was an awareness of complaints process by all staff we spoke with.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, and took account of their individual needs.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of their patients, they took account of patients' individual needs and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed and did not have to wait long for treatment.
• Managers ran services 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. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities.

However:

• At the time of the inspection, there was no mounted soap dispenser for handwashing installed at the clinic with the provider using a stand-alone liquid soap. At the follow up visit, we noted that this hadbeen addressed by the provide.
• Some of the electrical equipment did not have portable appliance test stickers on them to indicate that they are safe to use. At the follow up visit, we saw evidence that the test stickers had been attached on the appropriate equipment.

Updated 7 September 2021

Since our last inspection in February 2017 the service made significant changes to address the identified breaches in regulations. The only CQC regulated service provided by the clinic is SmartLipo cosmetic surgery. The service was rated good overall as it was compliant with regulations and had ensured a safe, clean, compliant environment for aesthetic surgical procedures. We also found appropriate risk assessments were undertaken and the service had plans to action any findings. Record keeping audit and risk assurance processes were now embedded in the operations of the service. We found that staff were caring towards their patients and responsive to their needs. We also found that managers ran the service well and had a clear vision and strategy for the service.