Hindley Dental Practice

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 line with the relevant regulations and had taken into consideration appropriate guidance.

Whilst there are issues to be addressed, the impact of our concerns relates to the governance and the oversight of the risks, rather than a patient safety risk.

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’s systems to manage risk were not always effective. In particular, risks associated with fire, health and safety, stock control and sharps safety.

Staff could access emergency equipment and medicines that were checked in line with national guidance. They knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. Staff also participated in medical emergency scenario training. However, we noted the fridge temperatures were not monitored daily for emergency medicines stored in the fridge, in line with national guidance. The practice acted immediately and submitted evidence following the inspection that this had been addressed.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. However, the practice had not carried out risk assessments in relation to the safe storage and handling of all the substances hazardous to health within the practice. The practice acted immediately and submitted evidence following the inspection they had begun to implement risk assessments.

The management of fire safety required improvement. The practice could not provide any evidence a fire safety risk assessment had been carried out by a competent person and there was no evidence a fire drill had been conducted. We discussed the fire alarm testing interval should be weekly instead of monthly and the fire extinguishers should be visually inspected monthly. Once we highlighted this to staff, management acted immediately to address these omissions. They submitted evidence following the inspection that the fire safety risk assessment by a competent person had been booked for 26 February 2026 and the practice had conducted a fire drill. We were assured by the immediate response that the risk to safety was mitigated. Improvements must be made to ensure better governance of fire safety.

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 management of prescriptions. NHS prescription pads were kept securely, and a log was in place to monitor and track their use.

Improvements were required to ensure the practice implemented an effective recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff. On the day of inspection, we checked 5 staff recruitment files and noted improvements were required to the oversight of staff recruitment records. In particular, ensuring all staff have appropriate immunity to vaccine-preventable blood-borne viruses.

Improvements were required to the oversight of staff training and continuing professional development. We noted some mandatory training was not available. The practice acted immediately and sent evidence these had been completed following the inspection.

The practice ensured clinical staff had appropriate professional indemnity cover.

Newly appointed staff had an appropriate role specific structured induction.

Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were enough staff on duty at all times. 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.

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.

Staff felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud to work in the practice.

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance. However, we noted there were multiple un-pouched instruments loose in the surgery drawers and staff were unaware when these were last re-processed, and we noted the sharps safety risk assessment did not reflect practice protocols. We discussed this with staff and were assured this would be addressed.

There were ineffective systems for stock control. In particular, we noted multiple items of out-of-date products and materials which appeared to be in use. We discussed this with staff and were assured this would be addressed urgently.

Staff used personal protective equipment and decontaminated dental instruments after use. We saw, and staff confirmed that single-use items were not reprocessed. We noted

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.

Equipment was maintained and serviced in line with 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.