Background to this inspection
Updated
27 October 2022
The provider offers tongue tie services in Kenilworth. Tongue tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a condition where the fascial tissue (strip of skin connecting the babies’ tongue to the bottom of their mouth) is shorter than usual. Some babies require a surgical intervention in order to release the tongue, which is known as a frenulotomy. The provider carries out assessments of tongue function and feeding assessments prior to carrying out frenulotomy procedures. The provider is qualified to provide frenulotomy divisions for babies up to the age of one year, however the procedure is
normally done on babies aged from new-born to six months old. Divisions on older babies with teeth are referred to the local NHS team or to the baby’s GP.
The service has been registered with the CQC to undertake the regulated activity of surgical procedures since 13 March 2019.
The practitioner is the company director and the clinician who provides the regulated activity. They are a registered midwife and are registered with the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) for feeding. They are listed as an approved independent tongue tie practitioner with the Association of tongue tie practitioners (ATP).
In addition to the frenulotomy service, the provider offers baby feeding and lactation support services and craniosacral therapy which are not regulated by CQC.
Appointments are offered in a clinic room on the first floor of a suite of therapy rooms in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. Appointments in people’s homes can be held where there are issues with mobility and access.
Updated
27 October 2022
We rated this service as good because it was safe, effective, responsive, and well led. We rated the service as outstanding for caring.
This was the first time we inspected the service. We rated it as good because:
- The practitioner had training in key skills, understood how to protect babies from abuse, and managed safety well. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to babies, acted on them and kept good care records.
- The practitioner followed national guidance and evidence based practice. They monitored the outcome of the procedure and gave parents and primary care givers advice and information on feeding and pain control post procedure.
- The practitioner was highly motivated and inspired to offer care that is kind and relationships with people who used the service were strong, caring, respectful and supportive. Feedback from parents and primary care givers was consistently continually positive about the way the practitioner treated them. They thought the practitioner went the extra mile and their care and support exceeded expectations.
- The practitioner took account of individual needs and made adjustments as necessary. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for treatment.
- The provider ran services well using reliable information systems and was focused on the needs of babies receiving care and their parents. They engaged well with parents and care givers and were committed to improving services continually.
However:
- Fire extinguishers had not been subject to annual external checks from a fire safety professional.
Updated
27 October 2022
The onsite inspection team consisted of a CQC inspector who was supported offsite by an inspection manager.
You can find information about how we carry out our inspections on our website: https://www.cqc.org.uk/what-we-do/how-we-do-our-job/what-we-do-inspection.