The Care Quality Commission
  • Hospital
  • NHS hospital

Archived: Therapeutic Apheresis Unit - Bristol

Blood Donor Suite, Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS10 5LX (0117) 998 2049

Provided and run by:
NHS Blood and Transplant

All Inspections

1 October 2013

During a routine inspection

We were able to speak with three patients who visited the department on the day of our inspection visit. We also spoke with three nurses, the lead nurse for the unit, a senior nurse manager and a member of the NHS Blood and Transplant quality assurance team.

Patients received specialist treatment that had been requested by the patient's hospital consultant and had been agreed by the patient as part of their on-going healthcare needs. Patients were given sufficient details about pre-treatment and post-treatment information. Patients were given specific dietary advice where this was appropriate.

The Apheresis Unit cooperated with other healthcare providers who were involved in patients care. All nurses completed safeguarding and child protection training and would therefore be able to respond appropriately if concerns were raised. There were safe systems in place for the management all medicines in the unit.

We found that patients were made aware of the complaints system. Copies of the Specialist Therapeutic Services Compliments and Complaints procedure were displayed in the main reception area and the waiting area.

The premises and all of the equipment in the unit were safe and well maintained.

13 September 2012

During a routine inspection

We were able to speak with three patients who were attending the unit for treatment, on the day we completed our inspection. They told us that the staff explained all the procedures and treatments to them and ensured that were always happy for treatment to proceed. The three patients told us that they continued to be involved in making decisions about their treatment plans and were informed about options.

One patient said 'I have been attending the unit for a long time, the staff are excellent and I can not fault the care I am given'. The second patient said 'the nurse supported me when I was not feeling well, told me what was happening and explained what further treatments they could give to make me feel more comfortable'. The third patient said 'this is the second series of treatments I have needed, but the staff still provide explanation and reassurance even though I know what is going to happen'.

We looked around the whole unit and found it to be clean tidy and well organised. The storage areas were clean and tidy and clinical equipment was clean and appropriately stored. We were told that the unit is cleaned in the evenings when there were no patients receiving treatment.

Patients made the following comments about the clinical and nursing staff who looked after them. 'It is very reassuring that the staff are so competent', 'the staff know what they are doing and take the trouble to put me at ease' and 'they are a very valuable staff team'.