‘Good sexual health services in Cheshire West and Chester, says official watchdog report
Sexual health services in Cheshire West and Chester have been rated as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission, with an ‘outstanding’ rating for being responsive to people’s needs.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) undertook a detailed review of the services across the five locations and assessed their services as ‘good’ in the areas of caring, safety, effectiveness, and being well-led. The bases, located in Blacon, Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich and Winsford were inspected at the end of November, during unannounced visits.
The services are run by HCRG Care Group, in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council and NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group. CQC Inspectors highlighted that: “Staff were discreet and responsive when caring for patients. Staff took time to interact with patients and those close to them in a respectful and considerate way. Staff had a positive attitude towards patients. In addition, staff gave patients practical support and advice to lead healthier lives.”
CQC Inspectors also highlighted that levels of being responsive to patients were outstanding, reporting: “Staff provided emotional support to patients, families and carers to minimise their distress. They understood patients’ personal, cultural and religious needs. Staff gave patients and those close to them help, emotional support and advice when they needed it. Staff undertook training on breaking bad news and demonstrated empathy when having difficult conversations. Staff understood the emotional and social impact that a person’s care, treatment or condition had on their wellbeing and on those close to them.”
Beth Wellsbury, Service Manager for HCRG Care Group, at Cheshire West and Chester Sexual Health Services, added: “This is brilliant news for our patients. At HCRG Care Group we are proud to change people’s lives by transforming health and care, and this is a perfect testament to the caring work that has been carried out in recent years.
“We have made such a positive difference helping the community across Cheshire West and Chester. Our teams work incredibly hard to provide high quality care to patients and their commitment has not wavered for a second throughout the COVID-19 pandemic – they have demonstrated such professionalism and resilience during the last couple of years.
“I am delighted that our integrated sexual health professionals have received this well-deserved recognition for being such a responsive and responsible team.”
If you would like to find out more about sexual health services, please visit the Sexual Health Hub: thesexualhealthhub.co.uk – you can even book a sexual health screening test in your own home.
This latest inspection means that all inspected services provided by HCRG Care Group remain either ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’.
