Updated 26 November 2021
London Doctors Clinic Limited (‘the provider’) is an independent doctors service, currently providing private general medical services at 23 locations across the UK, although the majority are in London.
All services are private, subject to payment of fees, and are usually used for patients with acute health issues, with long-term health conditions not being routinely managed. The service is offered to adults and children. No NHS services are provided.
The service is registered with CQC in respect of the following regulated activities: Diagnostic and screening procedures; Maternity and midwifery services; and Treatment of disease, disorder or injury.
Services provided at the clinic include: GP consultations; women’s health; referrals for imaging, investigations and procedures; health screening; blood tests; general wellness screening; and sexual health.
The services are offered on an appointment-only basis, with pre-bookable and same day appointments available. The service is open for appointments from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, although due to the COVID-19 pandemic the service’s operating hours have become more variable, with typically a minimum of two full days being provided. Patients can also be referred to the provider’s other locations in the event that the Old Street service is not operating at the relevant time. Appointments can be booked by using a central telephone number, through an online system accessible via the provider’s website: www.londondoctorsclinic.co.uk, or through the provider’s app. Doctors from across the provider’s locations work at the weekend and therefore can respond to any urgent results.
The service is situated in a serviced commercial block a short distance from Old Street station. The service is provided on the ground floor from one clinical room, with suitable access and facilities for disabled patients. There is a small reception and waiting area for patients, as well as a larger reception area for all visitors to the building.
The provider employs 10 salaried doctors who work across the different locations, with 3 or 4 regularly working at the Old Street service on a regular basis, most of whom also work within the NHS. There are no nurses or other clinicians working within the Old Street service.
Each of the provider’s location has a clinic manager who carries out service and site management, and administrative and reception duties. Clinic managers also work across the various locations. Service provision at all locations is supported by a corporate team that includes various management, governance, quality assurance, administrative and financial roles.
The provider sees approximately 1,500 patients per week across all its locations, with around 100 patients per week at the Old Street location.
How we inspected this service:
We reviewed information about the service in advance of our inspection visit. This included:
- Data and other information we held about the service;
- Material we requested and received directly from the service ahead of the inspection;
- Information available on the service’s website;
- Patient feedback and reviews accessible on various websites.
During the inspection visit we:
- Spoke with the CQC registered manager (the provider’s Medical Director), one of the doctors working at the clinic, and a clinic manager;
- Reviewed policies, procedures, meeting minutes and patient records;
- Carried out checks and observations of the premises and equipment.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:
- Is it safe?
- Is it effective?
- Is it caring?
- Is it responsive to people’s needs?
- Is it well-led?
These questions therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.