Burscough Dental Ltd

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. Improvements should be made to ensure these are consistently adhered to.

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 providing treatment to patients under sedation had also completed immediate life support training (or basic life support training plus patient inspection, airway management techniques and automated external defibrillator training).

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely.

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 the X-ray equipment and the required radiation protection information was available.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out. However, we noted the audit required review to ensure its completion would identify areas of improvement.

On the whole, the management of fire safety was effective, and fire exits were clear and well signposted. Improvements should be made to ensure any risks identified in the risk assessment are acted on within the recommended time-frame, or short-term interim arrangements are introduced to manage the risk until the work is complete.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff.

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.

Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that staff from sister sites supported the practice when needed and there were sufficient staffing levels. They 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 arrangements to ensure staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. The practice carried out appraisals, practice team meetings and ongoing informal conversations.

Staff stated they felt their manager was caring and supportive and the team worked well together. Some voiced concerns regarding the approachability of the senior leadership and whether their feedback was listened to and if this would result in meaningful change. We discussed these concerns with the leadership team who confirmed there were some ongoing challenges they were working hard to address.

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

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 practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance. Staff received appropriate training and demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes. Improvements were needed in some of the surgeries to ensure all work surfaces where clinical care or decontamination is carried out are impervious and easily cleanable.

We observed use of personal protective equipment and the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned with national guidance. However, the practice should ensure these are consistently adhered to by staff; for example, we noted the routine testing of the ultrasonic bath was not in accordance with current guidance.

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