Mydentist - South Street - Chichester Also known as mydentist

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 line 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.

We saw that a previous lack of oversight had led to gaps in the identification and management of some risks in the practice.

Staff could access emergency equipment and medicines; however, the checks of these had notidentified missing items. Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year.

A new system had recently been implemented for staff to participate in medical emergency scenario sessions.

We saw that the practice had not always followed their own processes with regards to fire safety and we identified gaps in knowledge. Improvements were underway to ensure that that checks of fire safety equipment were completed consistently; and additional staff were undergoing further training to ensure the practice was working in line with guidance and in accordance with regulations.

The premises were visibly clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely.

We saw most records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment and the required radiation protection information was available.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe management of medicines. NHS prescription pads were kept securely, although there was no log in place to monitor and track their use.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures although there had been a lack of oversight of these. We saw that risk assessments were not always in place for staff without a suitable Disclosure and Barring Service check. Evidence of satisfactory conduct in employment had not always been sought and gaps in employment had not always been documented. These had been identified by the provider who was working to make improvements.

The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover.

We saw that role specific inductions had not been completed consistently for newly appointed staff.

Most staff could demonstrate they had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles.

A previous lack of oversight of staff training meant that the practice had not always ensured that staff training, including continuing professional development (CPD), was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. There had also been lapses in providing staff with opportunities to discuss their learning needs and aims for future professional development, for example, through appraisal. The provider told us that they were aware of these shortfalls, and plans were in place to resume appropriate levels of support for staff.

The practice had infection control proceduresthatreflected published guidance.

Staff receivedappropriate traininganddemonstratedknowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes.

Staff used personal protective equipment and we saw, and staff confirmed that single-use items were not reprocessed.

Improvements were underway to ensure that recent changes to decontamination processes were clarified for staff to enable these to become embedded.

The practice had effective procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment and current guidance.

The practice had protocols to ensure effective cleaning. However, improvements were required to ensure that cleaning schedules and risk assessments in relation to the control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) were completed consistently. We saw the safe segregation and disposal of hazardous waste

The practice completed infection prevention and control audits although those available for review did not reflect the practice. Staff told us that all audits in the practice were being reviewed and repeated to ensure they were fit for purpose in enabling improvements and resulting actions to be identified.

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