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National Care Standards: Independent Specialist Clinics
1-2
Helping you to decide on treatment
1 Gathering information and choosing a clinic
2 Guidelines and legislation
Gathering information and choosing a clinic
Standard 1
You can make a fully informed decision about purchasing services.
3
1 You have access to accurate, clear and easy-to-understand information from the clinic to enable you to decide whether it is the clinic that best suits you.
2 You can get accurate and up-to-date advice about cosmetic surgery and treatment, laser and diet treatments from a clinic that provides such treatments.
3 You can be confident that providers of independent specialist clinic services provide information about their services to local hospitals and GPs.
4 You can receive clear and accurate information from clinics. The information includes:
the aims of the clinic and the types of treatment provided;
details about the location of the clinic and its opening hours;
details about who you can discuss your treatment options with;
details about which staff carry out particular treatments and their qualifications and experience;
details about the cost of treatment;
arrangements for follow-up care;
contact telephone numbers;
whether the clinic and its staff have the appropriate public liability or professional indemnity insurance;
whether home visits are provided;
whether the clinic is registered with the Care Commission; and
smoking policy for the clinic's premises.
5 You can be confident that the clinical staff involved in your care will make sure that you have all the information that you need so that you can make the best decision for you as an individual. They will be happy to answer your queries. (Some examples of questions you may want to ask appear in the introduction to these standards.)
6 You can be confident that your access to the clinic and the services it provides is not compromised by any physical, language or cultural barrier. If your first language is not English, or if you have other communication needs, you will receive advice and information about interpreting services and adaptations and equipment for communication.
7 You can be confident that when you make any enquiries, the status of the person answering them will be made clear to you (for example, registered medical practitioner, registered nurse, registered dental practitioner, sales person or member of the administrative staff). You will have adequate information and answers to a range of enquiries available to you.
8 You can receive from the clinic its latest inspection report from the Care Commission, if you want to see it.
Guidelines and legislation
Standard 2
You can be confident that your legal and human rights will be protected and that your care is managed in line with all relevant legal requirements.
1 You can be confident that all aspects of your care and treatment are delivered within the law and taking account of any best practice guidelines available.
2 You are given a 'cooling-off period'
4 before taking any financially-binding decision to proceed with treatment.
3 You know that the clinic will maintain your safety by having risk management systems in place. These take account of all relevant legislation and current good practice guidelines.
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4 You can be confident that the clinic has in place clear policies and procedures for reporting and investigating any accidents or incidents. These will be made available to you on request.
5 You can be confident that your human rights and privacy will be preserved and any information you give to clinic staff will remain confidential and will not be disclosed without your permission, unless there is a lawful basis for disclosure.
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