During this visit to the Lynton Clinic we found that policies and procedures were in place for the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
All staff had received training in the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
Staff we spoke with were able to tell us about the types of abuse and what they would do and how they would report any concerns of abuse.
We were told: 'The visit and consultation was very good. I was told how things would happen and how they would feel'. 'They could have taken lots of money from my mother but didn't and were very honest in what they could and could not do'. And: 'I have recommended them a friend as I trust them'.
We found that people who used the service had their privacy and dignity respected.
People who used the service told us that they experienced safe and effective care and treatment.
We found that the provider had not taken reasonable steps to safeguard vulnerable people from the risks of abuse and have asked the provider to address this concern.
We found that staff were appropriately trained and supported by the provider to perform their role.
The provider had a system in place to respond to and record any complaints made against the service.
We were provided with information that records were available at the company's head office and we also visited the clinic to view the records of the last person to be employed.
We found that the required records were in place and therefore have found the Lynton Clinic to be compliant with the regulations.
The personnel records we looked at did not provide enough evidence that all the necessary checks had been carried out to ensure that only suitable people were employed. The clinician with whom we carried out our visit had discussed this with one of the managers of the Lynton Clinic. We were told that improvements will be made in order to comply with the regulations.
The care records we saw and the people we spoke with confirmed that consent to treatments was obtained and that the consent was renewed for each treatment.
The people we spoke with also told us that they were happy with the service provided and had no complaints. We were told that treatments were explained to them and that they did not feel any pressure to agree to anything they were not sure of. They were given time to 'go away' and think about what they had been told.
One person told us; 'X (clinician) is brilliant, feel very comfortable and I have no concerns about complaining if I should need to; lovely atmosphere'. Another said; 'I have no complaints, it is very clean, very good and I have recommended the clinic to friends'.