The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Towerhill Dental Centre

Towerhill PCRC 1st Floor Ebony Way, Towerhill Kirkby, Liverpool, Merseyside, L33 1XT (0151) 546 3178

Provided and run by:
Mr. Marius McGovern

Important: This service was previously managed by a different provider - see old profile

All Inspections

24/04/2024

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 24 April 2024 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 second CQC inspector and 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. Most medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
  • The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. Improvements could be made to the system for ensuring equipment is maintained appropriately.
  • 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

Towerhill Dental Centre is in Kirkby, Liverpool and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free 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 practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 2 dentists, 2 qualified dental nurses, a trainee dental nurse, a dental therapist, a receptionist, a deputy practice manager and a practice manager. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 1 dental nurse, the dental therapist, the deputy manager and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5.30pm

Friday from 8.30am to 2pm

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

  • Take action to ensure the availability of medicines in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the British National Formulary and the General Dental Council.
  • Improve the practice's systems for ensuring that all equipment is maintained appropriately. In particular, the compressor and 1 of the X-ray machines.

1 July 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

During this inspection we did not speak with people attending the practice as they would not be able to provide information relating to the outcome we were inspecting. Feedback from people who used the practice can be found in our report of the inspection we carried out in November 2012. We looked at records relating to the recruitment of staff to find out if the provider had met a compliance action set during our inspection in April 2013.

We found that effective recruitment and selection processes were in place. Records and checks relating to staff had been carried out / obtained these included checking relevant staff with the Disclosure and Barring Service. The checks carried out on staff helped to ensure they were suitable to work with people who may be vulnerable.

4 April 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

During this inspection we did not speak with people attending the practice as they would not be able to provide information relating to the outcome we were inspecting. Feedback from people who used the practice can be found in our report of the inspection we carried out in November 2012.

During this inspection we looked at records and spoke to staff to find out if the practice had met a compliance action that we set following our inspection in November 2012. This related to information and checks pertaining to staff.

We found that progress had been made in meeting this compliance action. Information relating to staff past employment, relevant medical history, identification and references had been obtained. However the practice had not obtained Disclosure and Barring Service checks for staff who may work with vulnerable people.

6 November 2012

During a routine inspection

During our inspection we spoke with five people who were waiting to receive dental treatment. Some of the people we spoke with had been attending the practice for some time whilst others had recently registered.

People told us that they had always found the practice to be clean and tidy with several people commenting it had always been, 'Spotless'. They also confirmed that staff had always worn disposable gloves, aprons and masks and provided disposable cloths and goggles for them, if needed.

People told us that they liked the staff who they had always found to be polite and helpful. Comments we received included, 'A very good dentist', 'They are reassuring and very patient', 'Very friendly' and 'Very efficient'.

All of the people we spoke with told us that they had regularly been asked to update their health information form and that prior to any treatment this had been thoroughly explained to them and their consent obtained. They also told us that they had regularly been provided with information about maintaining their dental health. Everyone who had received prior treatment told us that they had been satisfied with this and with the care provided to them.

Nobody we spoke with had had any complaints about the practice, with one person explaining, 'No complaints at all. I've nothing bad to say about them'. Nobody we spoke with was aware of the complaints procedure but they all stated that they would raise their concerns with the practice in the first instance.