SpaMedica Watford

Updated 25 October 2022

SpaMedica Watford is operated by SpaMedica Ltd and registered with the CQC in March 2021. The service is a private clinic that offers cataract surgery and yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) laser capsulotomy services for NHS patients. YAG laser capsulotomy is a special laser treatment used to improve vision after cataract surgery. The service did not treat children.

SpaMedica Watford is registered to provide the following regulated activities:

• Diagnostic and screening procedures
• Surgical procedures
• Treatment of disease, disorder or injury

The hospital is located close to the town centre, in a business park with car parking facilities.

The ophthalmic team consists of:

• Ophthalmology consultants
• Optometrists
• Registered nurses
• Ophthalmic technicians
• Administration staff

Updated 25 October 2022

This is the first time we inspected this 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 well. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. They managed medicines well. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them.
• Staff provided good care and treatment, gave patients enough to eat and drink 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 how to lead healthier lives, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information. Key services were available seven days a week.
• 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 understood the service’s vision and 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. The service engaged well with patients and the community to plan and manage services and all staff were committed to improving services continually.

However:

• The service provided staff with personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks. We observed a staff member did not wear the mask so that it covered both the nose and mouth while a procedure was being performed.
• We observed that during one procedure the World Health Organisation (WHO) check list had not been completed appropriately.
• The hospital did not have a closed-circuit television (CCTV) policy in line with guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) such as explaining the purpose of the recording, including the name and contact details of those operating the surveillance scheme and how people could request the recordings.

Updated 25 October 2022

We have not previously inspected the service. We rated it as good. See the overall summary above for details.