Archived: Mr Paul Horscraft - Fitzwilliam Street

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 7 January 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

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.

Background

Mr Paul Horscraft - Fitzwilliam Street is situated in Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire. It offers mainly NHS dental treatments but also offer private dental treatments to patients of all ages. The services include routine dental treatment and preventative advice and treatments.

The practice is located in a converted detached house and services are over two floors. It has two surgeries, a dedicated oral health education room, two waiting areas and a reception area. One surgery, the reception area and one waiting area are on the ground floor. The second surgery, oral health education room, X-ray room and second waiting room are on the first floor of the premises.

There are three dentists, three dental nurses, a practice manager/receptionist (who is also a qualified dental nurse) and a part-time receptionist.

The opening hours are Monday to Friday 9-00am to 6-00pm. The practice is closed between 11-00am and 1-00pm on a Wednesday for staff to complete administrative and governance tasks.

One of the practice owners is the registered provider. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection 50 patients provided feedback. The patients were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment, informed of treatment options and were made to feel comfortable and relaxed.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had systems in place to assess and manage risks to patients and staff including infection prevention and control, health and safety and the management of medical emergencies.
• Staff received training appropriate to their roles.
• Patients were treated with care, respect and dignity.
• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed.
• The practice had a complaints system in place and there was an openness and transparency in how these were dealt with.
• There were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice and staff told us that they felt supported, appreciated and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions to the practice owners.
• The practice had an effective clinical governance process.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Record a Basic Periodontal Examination on adult patients at each examination.
• Review the arrangement for the spittoon in the ground floor surgery.
• Undertake weekly protein test on the ultrasonic baths.
• Review the practice’s protocols for the use of rubber dam for root canal treatment giving due regard to guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society.