Athena Surgical Centre

Ratings

• Overall

  Not rated

• Safe

  Requires improvement

• Effective

  Not rated

• Caring

  Not rated

• Responsive

  Not rated

• Well-led

  Requires improvement

Our view of the service

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.

People's experience of this service

People told us they felt safe and supported to understand and manage any risks. Patients had been provided with information about who to contact if they realised that things might be at risk of going wrong or their health condition may be worsening. People said that when they moved between services, there was a plan for what would happen next and who would do what, and all the practical arrangements were in place. Patients provided positive feedback about the cleanliness of the service and said that they were cared for in safe environments that were designed to meet their needs. People told us that they had observed staff washing their hands and using personal protective equipment when required. People told us they felt there were enough staff to meet their needs.