Archived: Pallant Orthodontics

Updated 1 October 2015

The inspection was undertaken on 19th May 2015 and was conducted by a CQC inspector and a Specialist Dental Advisor.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive to people’s needs?
• Is it well-led?

These questions therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.

Prior to the inspection we asked the practice to send us some information which we reviewed. This included the complaints they had received in the last 12 months, their latest statement of purpose, the details of their staff members and their qualifications and proof of registration with their professional bodies.

We informed NHS Area Team that we were inspecting the practice; however we did not receive any information of concern from them.

During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager, the business manager, two dentists and three other staff members. We reviewed policies, protocols, procedures and other relevant documentation.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive to people’s needs?
• Is it well-led?

These questions therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.

Prior to the inspection, we invited patients to tell us about their experiences at the practice through the use of comment cards. We received 40 cards which we examined on the day of inspection. We found a very high degree of patient satisfaction with the service. Patients told us they were treated with dignity and respect, were listened to and their needs were met with the right treatment at the right time. There were no concerns about safety or cleanliness.

Updated 1 October 2015

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 19th May 2015 at Pallant Orthodontics. The practice offered orthodontic services, used to improve the appearance, position and function of crooked or abnormally arranged teeth. The practice treated mainly children and young adults and was situated in the centre of Chichester.

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations

Are services caring? We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations

We found the practice was providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Our key findings were:

• There were comprehensive policies and procedures at the practice.
• The practice had the equipment and medicines they would need in the event of an emergency and staff had appropriate training. However, the practice did not check and record emergency drugs on a weekly basis to ensure their validity. They did not check and record the battery status of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on a regular basis.
• The practice took into account patient feedback, comments and complaints and learned from these to improve the service.
• The practice was visibly clean and well maintained.
• Patients were highly satisfied with the treatment they received and were complimentary about staff at the practice.
• Staff received regular appraisals and felt well supported by their peers and managers.
• The practice had a robust recruitment and induction process in place.