The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

N Bloom & Associates - Queen Anne Street

31 Queen Anne Street, London, W1G 9HX (020) 7580 2193

Provided and run by:
Dr. Norman Bloom

All Inspections

13 March 2023

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 13 March 2023 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 practice was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations.

The inspection was led by a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector who was supported by a specialist dental advisor.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 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:

  • The dental clinic appeared clean and well-maintained.
  • The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
  • Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
  • The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
  • Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
  • The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
  • Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
  • Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
  • Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
  • The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
  • The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
  • There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
  • Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
  • Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
  • The practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

N Bloom & Associates - Queen Anne Street is in the City of Westminster and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is ramped access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes a dentist, a dental nurse, a dental hygienist and a practice manager. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with all staff members We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday & Thursday from 8.30am to 6pm

29 November 2012

During a routine inspection

The dentist verbally described procedures to patients and used visual images where appropriate. One patient told us that staff gave them adequate information about their treatment and costs and always explained procedures "clearly" to them. Patients were always treated in private and with a dental nurse present.

Staff told us that patients were given written copies of their treatment plans and one patient told us that they were "happy" with the quality of their care.

The environment was clean and tidy on the day of the inspection. Patients rated the cleanliness of the practice as "good" or "excellent" as part of the satisfaction survey. There was a decontamination area with clearly identified areas to ensure that clean and dirty instruments were kept separate.

The practice was staffed by a dentist, a dental nurse and a hygienist. Staff had undertaken training including basic life support, infection control and other courses as identified in their appraisals. The dentist was up to date with his continuing professional development that included attending conferences on radiography updates.

Patient satisfaction surveys were carried out and from the 13 responses received; all rated the quality of the service as "good" or "excellent". There was a clinical audit policy and staff carried out clinical audits. The last one was on record keeping in 2009.