MRI centre drops in rating after inspection finds equipment is not well maintained

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

The MRI Centre at Croydon University Hospital has been rated “requires improvement” after Care Quality Commission inspectors found clutter in the scanning room.

The service, run by private company InHealth Limited,  dropped down to “requires improvement” from the “good” rating it was awarded three years ago. The report found this time it did not perform well for cleanliness.

Inspectors discovered the scanner room floor could not be properly cleaned as it was so cluttered.

They found furnishings and equipment were not well maintained posing an “infection control risk”.

The report gave the example of a seat in the changing room of the mobile MRI unit, located outside accident and emergency, which was torn with the foam innards exposed.

The centre at the hospital in London Road was visited by inspectors, who turned up unannounced in November 2021. Its report was published at the end of January 2022.

The service scanned more than 18,000 patients, including 759 babies and children, between September 2020 and August 2021.

Its overall Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating dropped down to ‘requires improvement’ from the ‘good’ rating it was awarded in 2019.

InHealth said it is had been addressing concerns raised in the report and will soon open a newly-refurbished MRI Centre at the hospital.

Inspectors also found staff did not always keep patient care and treatment confidential.

The report said: “In the mobile magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit patient’s confidentiality was compromised as patient information was visible on computer screens to patients entering the mobile unit and the privacy screen was not always drawn when patients were having a cannula inserted.”

The inspectors also did not see staff reassuring patients during the scan. It added the service told inspectors the level of reassurance needed for each patient was different.

The report did say the unit was well staffed with no vacancies meaning patients were kept safe and staff felt “respected, supported and valued”.

Staff understood the service’s vision and values, and how to apply them in their work and they felt respected, supported and valued.

A spokesperson for InHealth said: “Since receiving this rating, we have been addressing each area highlighted and identifying any related actions.

“Our centre is currently undergoing a significant building programme.

“As part of InHealth’s £4.5m investment at Croydon University Hospital, the newly refurbished centre will boast three state-of-the-art MRI scanners, new and improved patient waiting areas, high quality equipment and staff facilities.”

A Croydon University Hospital spokesperson said: “The trust works closely with our contracted provider for MRI services, InHealth, to improve the care offered to Croydon patients.

“The opening of a new department in March 2022 will continue this work and will support us in our ambition to provide excellent care for all.”