JRP Jones & Associates Limited

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 7 April 2022 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 practice 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• 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:

• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
• The dental clinic was visibly clean; however improvements were needed to the storage arrangements of the cleaning equipment.
• Improvements were needed to the systems used to help the provider manage risks to patients and staff.
• The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation. However, improvements were needed to ensure important checks were carried out at the time of recruitment.

Background

The provider has 28 practices and this report is about JRP Jones and Associates Limited.

JRP Jones and Associates Limited is in Morpeth in Northumberland and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice is located over three floors, accessible only by stairs. It is close to local transport links and car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes seven dentists, one foundation dentist, three dental nurses, five trainee dental nurses, one dental hygienist, one dental therapist, two receptionists and the practice manager. The practice has six treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, the foundation dentist, one dental nurse, the compliance manager and the regional manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 9am to 12:40pm and from 2pm to 5:40pm

Tuesdays from 8am to 4:40pm

Fridays from 9am to 12:40pm and from 2pm to 4:40pm

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.