Nantwich Smile Design

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

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.

At the assessment on 29 October 2024, we had highlighted where improvements should be made. At the assessment on 5 March 2025, we found the practice had made the following improvements:

Appropriate emergency equipment and medicines were available. Medical emergency medicines were checked in accordance with national guidance. Improvements should be made to ensure the medical emergency equipment is logged and checked in accordance with national guidance.

Improvements had been made to ensure hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely.

Improvements had been made to ensure satisfactory records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions. In particular, fire safety equipment.

The practice had made improvements to the systems to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment. In particular, the practice had a designated Radiation Protection Advisor, and the local rules were available.

The practice had implemented systems to assess, monitor and manage risks to patient and staff safety. In particular, they had conducted risk assessments for general health and safety, sharps safety and to minimise the risk that could be caused from substances that are hazardous to health (COSHH). However, further improvements should be made to ensure the sharps risk assessment was fully reflective of practice protocols.

Since our last visit, the practice had installed a new fire detection and emergency lighting system. We saw evidence that the fire alarm was tested following the manufacturer’s instructions. However, we noted the emergency lighting had not been tested since its installation. The practice submitted evidence following the assessment to assure us that they had begun monthly emergency light testing.

At the assessment on 29 October 2024, we had highlighted where improvements should be made. At the assessment on 5 March 2025, we found the practice had made the following improvements:

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedure to help them employ suitable staff. These reflected the relevant legislation. During the follow-up assessment, we reviewed 1 recently recruited staff member’s file. We noted that recruitment was in line with relevant legislation.

The practice had arrangements to ensure staff training was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals.

At the assessment on 29 October 2024, we had highlighted where improvements should be made. At the assessment on 5 March 2025, we found the practice had made the following improvements:

The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance and the equipment in use was maintained and serviced. However, we noted the documented procedures were not reflective of practice protocols we observed staff to be following. We raised this with staff and were assured this would be rectified.

Staff had appropriate training, and the practice had recently completed an infection prevention and control (IPC) audit.

The practice had made improvements to the procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems. The practice had completed all recommendations from their Legionella risk assessment and had implemented monthly water temperature checks and had a log of weekly flushing of infrequently used outlets.

The judgement for Medicines optimisation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.