Brecknock Dental

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

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.

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

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

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

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

The practice had processes to identify and manage risks and staff we spoke with were able to describe these to us. Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety. Staff felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and this was broadly reflected in our findings.

Emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these in a timely way. Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. Staff were also encouraged to participate in medical emergency scenario training.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely; risks assessments and data safety sheets were available and accessible to staff.

We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of most X-ray equipment, and the required radiation protection information was available. On the day of the inspection the practice did not provide evidence that a critical examination had been completed for the x-ray equipment in surgery 2. We do not assess compliance with the Ionising Radiation regulations 2017 and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) regulations 2017 but we do request services to provide evidence that demonstrates their compliance to inform our findings.

Improvements were required to the management of fire safety to ensure it was effective. When we inspected, we saw that fire exits were clear and well signposted. However, staff told us they did not routinely undertake fire drills. In addition, the most recent service record for the emergency lighting recommended additional lighting in a few areas of the practice. The provider told us they had been in touch with the electrician who will rectify.

The practice dispensed antimicrobials, however, improvement was required to ensure safe dispensing. For example, the provider had not ensured an effective stock control system was in place to minimise the risk of improper use and that they remained in date. Furthermore, the antimicrobials dispensed were not always labelled. Improvements were required to ensure dispensed medicines were labelled in accordance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

NHS Prescription forms were stored securely; however, processes were not in place to monitor and track their usage.

The practice had processes to identify and manage risks and staff we spoke with were able to describe these to us. Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety. Staff felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and this was broadly reflected in our findings.

Emergency equipment and medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these in a timely way. Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. Staff were also encouraged to participate in medical emergency scenario training.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely; risks assessments and data safety sheets were available and accessible to staff.

We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of most X-ray equipment, and the required radiation protection information was available. On the day of the inspection the practice did not provide evidence that a critical examination had been completed for the x-ray equipment in surgery 2. We do not assess compliance with the Ionising Radiation regulations 2017 and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) regulations 2017 but we do request services to provide evidence that demonstrates their compliance to inform our findings.

Improvements were required to the management of fire safety to ensure it was effective. When we inspected, we saw that fire exits were clear and well signposted. However, staff told us they did not routinely undertake fire drills. In addition, the most recent service record for the emergency lighting recommended additional lighting in a few areas of the practice. The provider told us they had been in touch with the electrician who will rectify.

The practice dispensed antimicrobials, however, improvement was required to ensure safe dispensing. For example, the provider had not ensured an effective stock control system was in place to minimise the risk of improper use and that they remained in date. Furthermore, the antimicrobials dispensed were not always labelled. Improvements were required to ensure dispensed medicines were labelled in accordance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

NHS Prescription forms were stored securely; however, processes were not in place to monitor and track their usage.

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance.

Staff received appropriate training and demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes.

We observed use of personal protective equipment and the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned with national guidance. We saw, and staff confirmed that single use items were not reprocessed.

The practice had effective procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment and current guidance.

The practice had protocols to ensure effective cleaning and safe segregation and disposal of hazardous waste.

The equipment in use was maintained and serviced as per manufacturers’ instructions.

The practice completed infection prevention and control audits in line with current guidance.

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