Dr Christopher Whitehead - St Peter's Place

We carried out this announced inspection on 19 June 2023 under section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions.

We planned the inspection to check whether the registered practice was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations.

The inspection was led by a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector who was supported by a specialist dental advisor.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 questions:

• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive to people’s needs?
• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

• The dental clinic appeared clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures in place, but these did not reflect published guidance.
• Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available but staff training in the use and administering of emergency medicines was insufficient to support them in an emergency.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises but some of these were not effective.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice had staff recruitment and training procedures in place, however these did not reflect current legislation.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines. Some prescribing we reviewed did not follow recognised guidance. Recording in patient records did not meet recognised guidance.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
• Patients were given the opportunity to provide feedback about the services provided.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

Dr Christopher Whitehead St Peters Place is a dental practice located in Fleetwood, Lancashire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice, through use of a portable ramp, for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements for example, through provision of a handrail at the front door to help patients with reduced mobility when accessing the practice.

The dental team includes 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses and 1 receptionist. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the dentist and 2 dental nurses. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8.30am to 5pm; Thursday 8.30am to 4pm; and on Friday from 8.30am to 12 noon.

We identified regulations the provider is not complying with. They must:

• Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.
• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.