The Care Quality Commission
  • Hospital
  • Independent hospital

Athena Surgical Centre

Overall: Not rated read more about inspection ratings

16 Davy Avenue, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK5 8PL 07841 282116

Provided and run by:
RSA Surgical Centre Limited

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

Athena Surgical Centre first opened in July 2023. The hospital operated from a stand-alone unit which was newly built in 2023. The facility included 3 theatres and 3 multi-purpose clinical consultation rooms. The service had contracts with 2 NHS hospital trusts to support them with surgical waiting lists for Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and podiatry. The hospital was also used by consultants to carry out consultations and operations on privately funded patients. Outpatient clinics were also being held at the hospital. This was our first assessment of the service since registration. We carried out this assessment because we received information giving us concerns about the safety and quality of the services provided. We carried out a short-notice announced site visit on 7 February 2024. We rated the service as requires improvement because: Equipment was not always available in accordance with national guidance and best practice. Controlled drugs, records and stationery were not being managed in line with legislation and national guidance. Infection prevention and control measures were not always being adhered to. Risk assessments and discharge summaries were not always completed in accordance with national guidance and legislation. Staffing levels were not always in line with national guidance and legislation. Recruitment procedures were not always operating effectively. Leaders did not operate effective processes for governance, information management and the management of risk, issues and performance. Policies, guidelines, and protocols did not always provide clear guidance for staff, were not always reflective of the service provided, and were not always evidence based. During our assessment, we found concerns which resulted in a breach of 3 regulations. Following our assessment, we issued a warning notice for regulation 12 (safe care and treatment). You can find more details of our concerns in the evidence category findings.