A medical centre in Mayfair, London, which employed private doctors not registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), has received more than £15,000 in fines and legal costs, after being prosecuted by the CQC.

The Care Standards Act 2000 states that businessses offering primary medical services in a walk-in centre must be registered with the commission and adhere to National Minimum Standards.

The premises also have a retail outlet supplying health products and vitamins and there was no evidence that this was operating illegally in any way.

In May 2008, the Healthcare Commission – which preceded the CQC – received information regarding care provided by a doctor at the Berkeley Clinic, situated at 30 Dover Street and run by Pantherday Limited. The clinic was asked to register and subsequently was warned that it might be operating illegally, following a spot inspection by the Healthcare Commission.

The CQC presented evidence to the court that the clinic had been operating illegally between January and September 2008, although there was no evidence in the witness statements collected that any harm had come to patients during treatment.

Neither the clinic nor Pantherday Ltd is linked to the Berkeley Clinic at 19 Dover Street, Mayfair.

The CQC's senior enforcement manager Tim Weller said:
‘This conviction sends a message to providers of unregistered services that CQC will take tough enforcement action where necessary to ensure the safety of patients.’

©5r1 Limited

Free Cosmetic Negligence Claims Advice

If you or a loved one has suffered from cosmetic negligence, cosmetic error, mistake or cosmetic surgery gone wrong, then contact 5r1 Claims. Our expert panel of cosmetic injury claims solicitors can provide you free legal advice on making a medical negligence claim. 5r1 claims will not ask you to pay if your if your cosmetic surgery claim should fail and no money will be deducted from your medical negligence compensation should you win your negligence claim. Contact 5r1 Claims today to discuss your cosmetic surgery compensation claim.

Freephone: 0808 222 0101 (lines open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)