Eyre Street 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, however we found shortfalls at the time of our inspection that the provider has rectified.

Emergency equipment and medicines were available in accordance with national guidance and staff could access these in a timely way. We found checks were not established to ensure the effectiveness and availability of equipment and medicines. Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year.

We observed that not all areas of the premises were visibly clean and cleaning schedules to confirming areas had been cleaned to an acceptable standard, where not in place. The provider informed us action would be taken to address this issue.

We identified scope for improvement in ensuring that all required maintenance checks were carried out. The provider did not have a satisfactory electrical installation condition report (EICR) certificate for the service. Evidence was submitted after our inspection that an updated EICR had been obtained.

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 management of fire safety was not always effective. Fire extinguishers had not been serviced since 2021 and visual checks to confirm the effective operation of extinguishers and exits had never been completed. Following our inspection, the provider submitted evidence that servicing was booked and updated monitoring systems implemented.

We identified scope for improvement with the practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. A record of the use and issue of NHS prescription pads was not kept. We noted that antimicrobial prescribing audits were not carried out. The provider took immediate action to address this issue.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures to help them employ suitable staff. We found that although these reflected relevant legislation, they were not consistently applied and required pre employment information was not always available for all staff.

The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover.

Newly appointed staff had an appropriate role specific structured induction.

Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They demonstrated knowledge of safeguarding and were aware of how safeguarding information could be accessed. Staff knew how to escalate safeguarding concerns within the practice and externally.

The practice had arrangements to ensure staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals.

There were effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities. Staff discussed their learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development during annual appraisals, practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions.

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. We identified scope for improvement in ensuring data was analysed after it was gathered and action plans developed where required.

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