Southam Dental Care

On this page

• Overview
• Person-centred Care
• Care provision, Integration and continuity
• Providing Information
• Listening to and involving people
• Equity in access
• Equity in experiences and outcomes
• Planning for the future

We found this practice was providing responsive 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 Person-centred Care is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Care provision, Integration and continuity is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Providing Information is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Listening to and involving people is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

Staff had carried out a disability access audit and had an action plan to continually improve access for patients.

Staff described the reasonable adjustments they had made to ensure the practice was accessible.

The practice had access to large print or alternative formats of information and magnifying glasses to support patients with impaired vision. The practice had a hearing induction loop to support patients with a hearing impairment. The practice was not wheelchair accessible due to the limitations of the building. There was a ground floor treatment room and an accessible toilet. Staff had access to language translation services, including British Sign Language and information was available in other languages as required. Practice staff were multilingual and could communicate with patients in 5 languages other than English.

Staff were clear about the importance of providing emotional support to patients when delivering care. For example, staff said that they chatted to patients to make them feel relaxed and always took their time, making sure patients were comfortable. The radio was playing in the waiting room to help distract anxious patients. Staff could take patients into a private room to chat to them if they were extremely anxious to try and calm their nerves. We were told about the various distraction techniques used, for example anxious patients were encouraged to bring their own earphones or stress balls to try and relax them. We were told that anxious patients were offered the first appointment of the day.

The practice supported more vulnerable members of society, for example, adults and children with a learning disability. Staff had completed training regarding autism and learning disabilities. Notes were made on patient records to remind staff if a patient required additional support.

The practice displayed its opening hours and provided information on their website, patient information leaflet and social media page. The practice offered extended hours, evening slots on Tuesday evenings and patients were also able to book appointments online if this was their preference.

The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

The practice provided telephone numbers for patients needing emergency dental treatment during the working day and when the practice was not open.

At the time of our inspection, patients who needed an urgent appointment were offered one in a timely manner.

The judgement for Equity in experiences and outcomes is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Planning for the future is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.