Clinic praised for going the extra mile
A specialist ophthalmology service in Wakefield has been rated outstanding following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Inspectors said care by SpaMedica Wakefield gave patients more fulfilling lives.
It was rated outstanding overall and outstanding for being effective and caring, good for being responsive, safe and well-led.
Sarah Dronsfield, CQC’s head of hospital inspection, praised staff for going the extra mile. ‘During heavy snow, two patients became stranded in Wakefield on their way to get treatment. A manager contacted a hotel near the hospital to arrange and provide overnight accommodation and food until the weather improved.’
Feedback from people who used the service was continually positive about the kind and supportive way staff treated patients.
The service provided a 24-hour, seven-day on-call service and managed any postoperative complication in-house, when possible, rather than sending patients to an NHS provider.
Staff were proactively supported and encouraged to acquire new skills, use their existing skills and share best practice.
The service provided free transport to patients who lived within a set distance from the location.