Updated 10 February 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 11 January 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 adviser.
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 was visibly clean and well-maintained.
- Infection control procedures did not reflect published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- 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.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- Improvements should be made to the system for the security of NHS prescriptions in the practice.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- Governance systems needed to be strengthened.
- Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
Background
Hall & Purchase - Warsop is in the village of Warsop in north Nottinghamshire and provides mainly NHS dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available at the practice. The practice has made adjustments to support patients with additional needs through the provision of ground floor treatment rooms and facilities.
The dental team includes 3 dentists, 5 dental nurses (including 2 trainee dental nurses), a receptionist and a practice manager. The practice has 3 treatment rooms which are all located on the ground floor.
During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 3 dental nurses, and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5:15pm and Friday from 8.30am to 4pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should
- Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor their use.
- Improve the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance’. In particular, ensure that equipment used in the decontamination process is working correctly and to the manufacturer’s specification.
- Take action to ensure audits of infection prevention and control and antimicrobial prescribing are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.
- Take action to ensure the regulated activities at Hall and Purchase - Warsop are managed by an individual who is registered as a manager.