We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 24 November 2015 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 not providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations
Background
The Dental surgery is situated in the town of Whitby, North Yorkshire. The surgery provides a comprehensive range of dental services and offers National Health Service dental care or private treatment options, the services include preventative advice and routine restorative dental care.
The practice has two surgeries both situated on the ground floor, a decontamination room, a reception area, a waiting room and a staff room. There is one dentist and two dental nurses working at the practice.
The Practice is open:
Monday, Wednesday Thursday and Friday 09:00 – 17:00
Tuesday: 09:00 – 19:00.
On the day of inspection we received 26 CQC comment cards providing feedback and spoke to three patients. The patients who provided feedback were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be caring and considerate and they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment.
Our key findings were:
- Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
- Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
- Infection prevention and control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
- Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice and current regulations.
- 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.
- Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice; however the practice did not have a structured plan in place to audit quality and safety beyond the mandatory audits for infection control and radiography. They planned to establish a more detailed system for this.
- The appointment system met patients’ needs.
- The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
We identified two regulation that was not being met and the provider must:
- Ensure the practice's recruitment policy and procedures are suitable and the recruitment arrangements are in line with Schedule 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 to ensure necessary employment checks are in place for all staff and the required specified information in respect of persons employed by the practice is held.
- Ensure all audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.
You can see full details of the regulations not being met at the end of this report.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:
- Review the storage of products identified under Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) 2002 Regulations to ensure they are stored securely, also update the policy and COSHH folder.
- Establish and operate effectively an accessible system for identifying, receiving, recording, handling and responding to complaints by service users also ensure this is easily accessible to patients.
- Review and update the safeguarding policy, to include local contacts and guidelines for referral should the need arise.
- Review all staff receive performance appraisals and are suitably supported in undertaking their activities.