The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

WestPole Dental Clinic Also known as R G Mattey Dental Surgery

3 Westpole Avenue, Cockfosters, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN4 0AX (020) 8441 9142

Provided and run by:
R G Mattey Limited

All Inspections

17 October 2017

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced inspection on 17 October 2017 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

We told the NHS England area team that we were inspecting the practice. They had no information of concern.

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 form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

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

Cockfosters Dental Care is located in the London borough of Enfield and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.

There is a ramp access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

Practice staffing consists of three dentists, one hygienist, two dental nurse’s one trainee dental nurse, receptionist and practice manager.

The practice is owned by a organisation and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. At the time of the inspection the practice did not have a registered manager in post. This was being implemented and the practice manager was in the process of applying to the Care Quality Commission.

The practice is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm

The practice facilities include four treatment room a decontamination room, waiting area, reception area and a staff room.

On the day of inspection we collected feedback from 16 patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, two dental nurses, practice manager and compliance manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

Our key findings were:

  • The practice was clean and well maintained.
  • The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
  • Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
  • The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
  • The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
  • The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
  • The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
  • Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
  • The appointment system met patients’ needs.
  • The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
  • The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
  • The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

5 February 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We did not speak with patients as the focus of the inspection was to check that specific improvements had been made by the provider.

At the previous inspection of this service on 21 October we had concerns because there was not an effective system to prevent and control the spread of health care associated infections. Appropriate arrangements were not being made to protect patients against the risks associated with the unsafe use and management of medicines. There were not suitable records for the management of the practice as most policies were being reviewed and were not available at the practice. Records were not maintained securely, kept for an appropriate period of time or securely destroyed when it was appropriate to do so.

At this inspection we found that the provider's policies and procedures for infection control and medicine management had been updated and that the roll out to the practice of these and other polices were planned in the next two weeks. Some systems to prevent and control the spread of infection and medicine management had been introduced by the registered manager.

Most records were available for the management of the practice. We saw that current patient's personal records were stored securely and were mostly kept up to date.

21 October 2013

During a routine inspection

Patients told us that treatment was explained to them by staff in the surgery in private, they were given choices of treatment, were able to express their views and were involved in making decisions about their care and treatment. One patient told us that 'Everything is explained fully.'

We spoke with staff and saw records that showed most care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual treatment plan. Patients were recalled at intervals based on their individual needs. One patient said "I am 82 year old and I have been coming here for 30 years and still have most of my teeth." All of the patients we spoke with said they would recommend the dentist.

The premises were clean and well maintained. One patient told us "the practice is very clean". Staff told us how to monitor infection control as detailed in Department of Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM 01-05). However we found that some of the guidance was not being followed and there was a risk of infection.

Appropriate arrangements were not in place to protect patients against the unsafe use and management of medicines. Our concerns included safe medicine storage and recording.

We saw that some patient's personal records were stored securely and mostly kept up to date. The manager was not aware of the requirements regarding the retention and disposal of patient's records. The provider and manager told us that most policies for the management of the practice were being reviewed.

17 February 2012

During a routine inspection

Patients were satisfied with the treatment and care they received. They said staff were, friendly, and gave them information they needed. People felt staff and dentists listened to them and treated them well. They told us they were treated with respect and dignity.

People told us the clinic was clean and they felt safe and comfortable. We observed that all areas of the clinic were clean and bright, and there were arrangements in place maintain the cleanliness of the premises and protect people from infections.