Mayfair clinic ordered to pay fines

Under the Care Standards Act 2000, businesses offering private primary medical services in a walk-in centre must register with the CQC and comply with National Minimum Standards.

Pantherday Limited, which operates the business, pleaded guilty to the charges and was ordered to pay the fines and costs at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court last Monday (15).

There was no evidence that the retail section of the business, which includes sales of vitamins and health products, was operating illegally.

In May last year, CQC's predecessor body, the Healthcare Commission, received information relating to care from a doctor at the Berkeley Clinic.

After attempts to get the service to register, the Healthcare Commission conducted an unannounced inspection and advised Berkeley Clinic that it may be operating illegally.

Over the following months, it interviewed a representative of Pantherday Limited, collected statements from witnesses and gathered evidence that the medical services were provided illegally.

No witnesses provided evidence that they had been harmed during medical treatment.

Tim Weller, CQC's senior enforcement manager, said: "Unregistered providers of private health care can present a risk to the public because they are not subject to scrutiny by the regulator.

"People using private doctors should assure themselves that the service is registered with the Care Quality Commission or that the doctor has a contract with the NHS.

"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."

Pantherday Limited is not connected to the Berkeley Clinic located at 19 Upper Berkeley Street in Mayfair.