Updated 10 October 2017
We carried out this announced inspection on 25 September 2017 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
We told the NHS England local area team that we were inspecting the practice. We did not receive any information of concern from them.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:
• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive to people’s needs?
• Is it well-led?
These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.
Our findings were:
Are services safe?
We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services caring?
We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services responsive?
We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Appleby Dental Practice is in Appleby in Westmorland and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children. It is situated in the NHS community health centre. Although identified within the building and at the main entrance there is no sign outside the building to indicate the practice is there.
The practice is situated on the first floor of the building. There is lift access for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including spaces for patients with disabled badges, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes one dentist, two dental nurses and a receptionist. The team is supported by a practice manager. The practice has two treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Appleby Dental Practice was the practice manager. The practice manager is currently on maternity level. A care taker manager has been appointed to cover the role.
On the day of inspection we collected five CQC comment cards filled in by patients and reviewed information available to us electronically. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.
During the inspection we spoke with the dentist, a dental nurse, the receptionists and the care taker practice manager. The practice manager was supported by a regional compliance manager and an area manager from the company. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday 8.30 am – 5.00pm. Treatment is also available on a Saturday morning once a month or more frequently if there is identified patient need.
Our key findings were:
- The practice was clean and well maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
- The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
- The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- The appointment system met patients’ needs. The vacancy for another dentist did affect the timing of treatments however.
- The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
There was an area where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review and implement information signs for patients to reflect the GDC guidance.