mydentist The Old Vicarage Dental Surgery

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.

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.

Overall, systems and processes were in place and embedded. Monitoring systems for ongoing compliance had identified some gaps and areas for improvement in 2025. These systems should be strengthened to ensure that any recommendations are addressed in a timely manner. On the day of the inspection, we also identified a couple of areas where further improvement was needed, and we were informed that these would be reviewed and acted upon following the inspection.

Staff were aware of the importance of protecting patients’ personal information. Staff password protected patients’ electronic care records, and paper records were stored securely and complied with General Data Protection Regulations.

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 in place to support learning, quality assurance, and continuous improvement. Improvements could be made to auditing protocols to ensure they are carried out consistently in line with recognised guidance and effectively support ongoing improvement.

Concerns and complaints were responded to appropriately, and outcomes were discussed to share learning and for improvement.

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

Staff feedback was obtained through meetings, surveys, 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 had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, by recycling and reducing their reliance on paper.

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.