HCA tops list of ‘outstanding’ units
HCA Healthcare UK has received five ‘Outstanding’ ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for its four Leaders in Oncology Care (LOC) practice locations and its Golders Green Outpatients and Diagnostics Centre.
It said it now has a higher proportion of CQC ‘Outstanding’ ratings than any other private hospital group in the UK, with a total of 12 ‘Outstanding’ locations and 14 ‘Good’ locations.
The Platinum Medical Centre at HCA Healthcare’s Wellington Hospital
LOC’s cancer treatment centres at Chelsea, Harley Street, London Bridge Hospital, and the Platinum Medical Centre were marked out for their outstanding practice in the categories of ‘caring’ and ‘effective’, indicative of good outcomes and compassionate delivery of care.
The report highlighted that the staff across these locations go ‘above and beyond’ to treat patients with ‘compassion’ and ‘kindness’ and praised the wide range of complementary therapies and emotional support services patients can access.
The inspections also identified multiple other examples of outstanding practice across these LOC locations that enabled the delivery of high-quality, effective care, including;
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) teams that provide truly personal care for every patient. A member of the CNS team could be present during clinics with consultants and throughout the patient journey. The CQC highlighted their role in co-ordinating the care of patients and as point the contact for those undergoing complex treatment, ensuring patients had a positive experience of care at what for many is a difficult and anxious time.
The introduction of a pan-cancer-type molecular tumour board as part of multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss the results from tests on an individual patient’s tumour genetic profile that helps guide treatment and provide and an opportunity for patients to access available clinical trials.
The electronic prescribing system for chemotherapy used by the LOC group ensures that treatment is not prescribed outside agreed protocols and ensures that any anomalies are investigated by senior team members.
The pharmacy team’s inclusion in the patient pathway to review all patient medicines and offer direct advice to patients.
The awarding of the Macmillan Cancer Support MQEM (Macmillan Quality Environment Mark) award, which involved a combination of environmental assessments, a review of supporting documents, as well as getting direct feedback from patients and users of the service.
The CQC’s report for HCA UK’s Golders Green Outpatients and Diagnostics Centre highlighted an outstanding approach to leadership and responsiveness.
The centre provides patients with diagnostic tests, screening facilities and treatment. Prominent within the report was the centre’s commitment to training its staff and developing their skills so that colleagues felt ‘respected, supported and valued.’
- See ‘Boost your CQC score’