Archived: Wearside Orthodontic Centre

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 17 February 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

The practice is owned by Mr. Callum Rushforth.

The practice offers an orthodontic services under the NHS and privately. There are seven surgeries, a decontamination room, a combined reception and waiting area, separate waiting area for private patients, offices and staff facilities.

The practice is open Monday and Tuesday 8.30am to 7.30pm, Wednesday 8.30am to 5pm, Thursday 8.30am to 7.30pm and Friday 8.30am to 5pm.

There are four orthodontists, 10 dental nurses, two dental hygiene therapists, a decontamination worker, and a practice manager.

Mr. Callum Rushforth is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. 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. 

We spoke with two orthodontists, two dental nurses, a decontamination worker and the practice manager.

We received feedback from one patient about the service via our CQC comment cards. They were positive about the staff and the services provided.

Our key findings were:

• There was an effective complaints system.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines and current regulations.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• Patients could access routine treatment and urgent care when required.
• The practice was well-led, staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.

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

• Review availability of medicines and equipment (delete as appropriate) to manage medical emergencies giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK), and the General Dental Council (GDC) standards for the dental team.
• Review stock rotation of medicines and equipment, the system for identifying and disposing of out-of-date stock.
• Review the storage of dental care materials and medicines requiring refrigeration to ensure they are stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance and the fridge temperature is monitored and recorded.

• Review the practice’s protocols for checking and monitoring emergency equipment to manage medical emergencies giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK), and the General Dental Council (GDC) standards for the dental team.

• Review the practice’s infection prevention and control procedures and protocols giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.