Taunton Renal Unit

Taunton Dialysis Centre is operated by Fresenius Medical Care Renal Services Limited. The service opened in June 2019 and provides haemodialysis to patients from the local area of Taunton. This is a satellite dialysis service. The service is unable to support dialysis away from base (patients who want to use the service who are on holiday in the local area).

The service is located away from an acute hospital site. Facilities include 16 dialysis stations and one isolation room. Dialysis clinics offer services that replicate the functions of the kidneys for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. Dialysis is used to provide artificial replacement for lost kidney function.

This was the first rated inspection of the 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. The service-controlled infection risk. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them and managed medicines well.
• Staff provided good care and treatment, gave patients advice around nutrition. 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. Key services were available to suit patients' needs.
• 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 local people, 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 too long for treatment.
• Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff felt respected, supported, and valued. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities.