Sexual health service 'risked contamination'
PA MediaInspectors found a city's sexual health service could have placed people at risk by leaving test swabs uncovered and "open to contamination".
The CQC rated Solutions 4 Health (S4H) Newcastle "inadequate" and placed it in special measures after finding it breached legal regulations.
The private company took over from the NHS in 2023, after Newcastle Hospitals Trust did not make an offer to continue its contract for Newcastle City Council.
The Labour-led authority said it decided to "mutually end the contract" and find a new provider, which would begin a "managed handover" by the end of January 2026.
S4H Newcastle offers services including testing and treatment for sexually-transmitted diseases (STIs), contraception and family planning advice.
The inspection in July was the service's first, the CQC said.
Inspectors found "new swabs and pots for chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing were being stored under the staining sink in open boxes, leaving them open to contamination".
New provider sought
Inspectors concluded the service was in breach of legal regulations in relation to safeguarding, staffing, the safety of premises and equipment and how the service was managed.
Eleven records had no documentation of people's medical history, allergies, lifestyle review or safeguarding assessments.
And the service was experiencing delays in receiving test results, which led to people receiving delayed treatment.
Alice Wiseman, director of public health at Newcastle Council, said: "Unfortunately the outcome of the report comes as no surprise."
The council said it was in contact with the CQC and had commissioned a review even before the inspection "following concerns raised by staff and the public".
It informed S4H in July that it was "seeking mutual termination", but said the private company would still run the service in the interim.
The local authority added that it had seen improvements in the service since the inspection.
Ms Wiseman said: "Procurement of a new provider began last week and we are confident of quickly finding a new supplier.
"We wish to reassure the public that the council, S4H and the new provider (once identified), will endeavour to minimise any disruption to patients and staff as the service and staff transfer over."
The service was previously based at New Croft House in the city centre, before moving to Hadrian House where the inspection took place. It is now based at Ravensworth Terrace.
