Balsall Common Dental Practice

On this page

• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

We found this practice was providing well-led 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.

The judgement for Shared direction and culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Freedom to speak up is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

We found staff to be open to discussion and feedback. The provider demonstrated a transparent and open culture in relation to people’s safety. Staff told us there was strong leadership with emphasis on people’s safety and continually striving to improve. Staff told us they had clear responsibilities, roles and systems of accountability to support good governance and management. Feedback from staff was obtained through meetings and informal discussions. Staff were encouraged to offer suggestions for improvements to the service, and they said these were listened to and acted upon, where appropriate. Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued. We were told that the management “made me feel like a valuable member of staff” and “always made me feel like I am an asset to the team”. We saw the practice had effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities. Staff told us how they collected and responded to feedback from patients and the public. For example, following appointments, those patients who had given permission were sent a request for feedback. Patient feedback such as filling in holes/levelling out the gravel in the practice car park and ordering an umbrella stand had been reviewed and acted upon. Where it was not possible to act on feedback an explanation was recorded. The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. Solihull Council visited the practice and gave ways in which they could reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact. Solar panels had been fitted which generated some electricity used at the practice. Energy efficient lightbulbs were in place. Timers on electrical items ensured they were automatically turned off when not in use. Staff were encouraged to recycle waste. The provider informed us that the waste company sorted waste and recycled. Clinical waste was sorted into different bags so that it could be incinerated at different temperatures.

The practice had recently introduced a new compliance system and were in the process of adding information, updating policies, procedures and risk assessments. We were informed that some shortfalls had been identified when implementing new systems and the practice had addressed any issues identified. Staff told us that they were kept up to date with any changes at the practice. Staff worked together in such a way that the assessment did not highlight any significant issues or omissions. Where the assessment identified areas which required improvement these were acted on immediately. The information and evidence presented during the assessment was clear and well documented. The practice had a governance system which included policies, protocols and procedures that were accessible to all members of staff and were reviewed on a regular basis. We saw there were clear and effective processes for identifying and managing risks, issues and performance. The practice had systems to review and investigate incidents and accidents, and for receiving and acting on safety alerts. The practice responded to concerns and complaints appropriately. Staff discussed outcomes to share learning and improve the service. The practice had systems and processes for learning, quality assurance and continuous improvement. This included undertaking audits according to recognised guidance.

The judgement for Partnerships and communities is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Learning, improvement and innovation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.