Updated 2 December 2021
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 4 November 2021 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 Care Quality Commission, (CQC), inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we asked the following three questions:
• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• 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 this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Synergy Dental Clinic Ormskirk is in Lancashire and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. The service also provides intravenous sedation and dental implants.
There is level access to the reception and ground floor surgery for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. The toilet is located on the first floor. At the time of the inspection, the practice was in the process of adding accessible surgery and toilet facilities. A free car park which includes dedicated parking for people with disabilities, is available near the practice.
The dental team includes five part time dentists, two dental nurses, a practice manager and three receptionists. 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 CQC 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 Synergy Dental Clinic Ormskirk is one of the company directors.
During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, one dental nurse, a receptionist and the practice manager. The company director, governance manager and two further practice managers from other locations also attended and participated in the inspection. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- The provider had implemented standard operating procedures in line with national guidance on COVID-19.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The provider had systems to help them identify and manage risk to patients and staff. Improvements should be made to ensure the security and tracking of NHS prescriptions.
- The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- 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.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- Improvements could be made to the incident reporting processes.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor their use.
- Implement an effective system for recording, investigating and reviewing incidents or significant events with a view to preventing further occurrences and ensuring that improvements are made as a result.