Archived: 1st Practice

Updated 8 August 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

The inspection was carried out on 7 July 2016 and was led by a CQC Inspector and a specialist advisor.

The methods that were used to collect information at the inspection included interviewing staff, observations and reviewing documents.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, the dental hygiene therapist, three dental nurses (including the decontamination lead) and the practice manager. We saw policies, procedures and other records relating to the management of the service.

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

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.

Updated 8 August 2016

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 7 July 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

1st Practice is located in the town of Hessle near Hull, Humberside. It is a NHS and private dental practice which offers private dental payment plans. The practice has three surgeries, a decontamination room, a waiting area, a reception area and patient toilets. All facilities are located on the ground floor of the premises. There are staff facilities on the first floor of the premises.

There is one dentist (the principal dentist), one dental hygiene therapist, one dental hygienist, five dental nurses one of which is training to become the practice manager.

The opening hours are:

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 09:00 –17:00

Wednesday (reception only) 09:00 – 12:30

Alternate Fridays 09:00 – 17:00

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

During the inspection we received feedback from 24 patients. The patients who provided feedback were very positive about the care and attention to treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be very good with children and nervous patients, helpful, respectful, friendly and communicated well. Patients commented they could access emergency care easily and they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had systems in place to assess and manage risks to patients and staff including infection prevention and control, health and safety and the management of medical emergencies.
• The practice appeared clean and hygienic.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
• Treatment was well planned and provided in line with current best practice guidelines.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
• There were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Undertake a Legionella risk assessment, giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance’ the HSE Legionnaires’ disease. Approved Code of Practice and guidance on regulations L8.