Harpenden Dental Centre

On this page

• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations and had taken into consideration appropriate guidance.

At the time of the inspection, there was no registered manager in post as required as a condition of registration. A registered manager is legally responsible for the management of services for which the practice is registered. We were provided with evidence that an application for a registered manager had been submitted immediately prior to the inspection.

Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.

The judgement for Shared direction and culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Freedom to speak up is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The practice had a governance system that included policies and procedures, which were accessible to staff and were reviewed on a regular basis.

Systems and processes were mostly embedded, and the inspection did not highlight any significant issues or omissions. Areas requiring improvement were acted on immediately.

Staff were aware of the importance of protecting patients’ personal information. Staff password protected patients’ electronic care records and complied with General Data Protection Regulations. Signed documents were stored electronically in patient records, this helped to improve data security.

There were effective processes for identifying and managing risks, investigating incidents and accidents, and for receiving and acting on safety alerts.

The practice had systems and processes for learning, quality assurance and continuous improvement. This included undertaking audits according to recognised guidance.

The practice should ensure that, where appropriate, all audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.

Concerns and complaints were responded to appropriately, and outcomes were discussed to share learning and for improvement. We saw that information for patients on how to complain was available in the reception area.

Staff had clear responsibilities, and systems of accountability to support good governance.

Staff feedback was obtained through meetings, a digital chat and informal discussions. They were encouraged to offer suggestions for improvements to the service, and they said these were listened to and acted upon, where appropriate.

The practice gathered feedback from patients, the public and external partners, and responded accordingly.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, staff turned off lights in rooms that were not being used, the use of the tablet for documentation signing by patients reduced the use of paper. Staff confirmed that they recycled wherever possible.

The judgement for Partnerships and communities is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Learning, improvement and innovation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.