A DIDCOT clinic has received a ‘requires improvement’ rating from the health watchdog after it found that the ultrasound machine was not password protected.

This was just one of the safety problems that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found when they visited Baby Moments at Orchard Court on July 30.

Inspectors also found that the sonographer did not know about female genital mutilation or how to deal with it, and that they did not have the right equipment to clean blood spillages.

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The report said that the sonographer’s lack of knowledge of FGM meant that ‘not all staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse, and they did not know how to apply it’.

Oxford Mail:

Safeguarding guidance did not include definitions of female genital mutilation or child sexual exploitation.

The sonographer sent the inspections watchdog evidence that they had purchased an online course to aid their understanding around FGM following the visit.

Leadership at the clinic was also found to not always be effective.

The registered manager was found not to hold regular governance meetings and discussed risk management, quality monitoring and decision making informally with directors.

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Care and treatment services did not always reflect the most up to date guidance or best practice, and staff were found to not have regular opportunities to meet and share best practice.

Leaders did not have a formal risk management framework and lacked plans to deal with potential risks such as trip hazards or risks relating to a loss of staff or business.

The clinic received a ‘good’ score for responsiveness and compassionate care.

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Inspectors found that staff acted compassionately towards patients, with respect for their privacy and individual needs.

Waiting times were found to be low and inspectors said that the service was effectively tailored to patients’ needs.

The clinic was found to have enough staff with the appropriate skills and training to keep patients safe. Staff were found to treat complaints and concerns seriously and were aware of the clinic’s whistleblowing policy. Patients refer themselves to the clinic and are private patients.

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The health watchdog has said that the clinic must ensure that the sonographer receives training about FGM, install an appropriate blood spillage kit, put a password on the ultrasound machine and adopt a formal risk management process if it is not to receive the same rating again.

Visit cqc.org.uk/provider/1-1875362721