• Dentist
  • Dentist

London Road Dental Practice

147 London Road, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 9SQ (01442) 252980

Provided and run by:
Mr. Najim Ghulam

Report from 15 October 2024 assessment

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Safe

Regulations met

Updated 14 January 2025

We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations and had taken into consideration appropriate guidance.

Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.

Learning culture

Regulations met

The judgement for Learning culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

Safe systems, pathways and transitions

Regulations met

The judgement for Safe systems, pathways and transitions is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

Safeguarding

Regulations met

The judgement for Safeguarding is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

Involving people to manage risks

Regulations met

The judgement for Involving people to manage risks is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

Safe environments

Regulations met

Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. Immediate life support training was also completed by staff providing treatment to patients under sedation. Staff were encouraged to participate in medical emergency scenario training. Emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these in a timely way. Improvements could be made to ensure that the emergency kit included all equipment necessary, as advised in guidance from the Resuscitation Council UK. Immediately following the inspection, we saw that a child-sized self-inflating bag with reservoir, clear face masks for the self-inflating bag and additional sizes of needles used to administer medicines had been ordered by the practice. Staff we spoke with told us that equipment and instruments were well maintained and readily available. The practice ensured equipment was safe to use and maintained and serviced according to manufacturers’ instructions. The provider described the processes they had in place to identify and manage risks. Staff felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and the reporting of risks was encouraged.

The practice ensured the facilities were maintained in accordance with regulations. The premises were clean, well maintained and free from clutter. A fire safety risk assessment was carried out in line with the legal requirements. The management of fire safety was effective. Fire exits were clear and well signposted, and fire safety equipment was serviced and well maintained. The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment and most of the required radiation protection information was available. On the day of the assessment evidence that the practice had updated their registration for the use of X-rays with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was not available. A new HSE application was submitted immediately. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. The practice had obtained safety data sheets for dental products to minimise the risk that could be caused from substances that are hazardous to health for staff. Improvements were required to obtain this information for general cleaning products used in the practice and to complete risk assessments for all substances that are hazardous to health in accordance with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. Immediately after the assessment we were provided with evidence that safety data sheets were now available for all cleaning products and that the practice had commenced undertaking risk assessments. The practice had implemented systems to assess, monitor and manage risks to patient and staff safety. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working. The practice had systems for the safe handling, dispensing and prescribing of medicines. NHS prescription pads were kept securely, and following feedback from the inspection team, a log was introduced to monitor and track their use. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.

Safe and effective staffing

Regulations met

Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were sufficient staffing levels. Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued. They were proud to work in the practice. Staff discussed their training needs during annual appraisals, 1 to 1 meetings, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions. They also discussed learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development. Staff we spoke with demonstrated knowledge of safeguarding and were aware of how safeguarding information could be accessed. Staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedure to help them employ suitable staff. These reflected the relevant legislation. The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover. Newly appointed staff had a structured induction, and clinical staff completed continuing professional development required for their registration with the General Dental Council. The practice had arrangements to ensure staff training was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. We saw the practice had effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities.

Infection prevention and control

Regulations met

The practice appeared clean and there was an effective schedule in place to ensure it was kept clean. Staff followed infection control principles, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Hazardous waste was segregated and disposed of safely. We observed the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned with national guidance.

The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance and the equipment in use was maintained and serviced. Staff demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes and we saw single use items were not reprocessed. Staff had appropriate training, and the practice completed infection prevention and control (IPC) audits in line with current guidance. The practice had procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment. The practice had policies and procedures in place to ensure clinical waste was segregated and stored appropriately in line with guidance.

Medicines optimisation

Regulations met

The judgement for Medicines optimisation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.