South Liverpool NHS Treatment Centre

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 2 August 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

South Liverpool NHS Treatment Centre is part of Rodericks Dental Limited a dental group provider. The practice is in Liverpool in Merseyside and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice is located on the first floor of a purpose built health centre with a number of different services available. There is lift access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. It is located close to local transport routes and 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, 7 dental nurses including 4 trainees, 1 dental hygienist and 1 practice manager. The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

The practice manager could not be available on the day of the inspection. We carried out a video call with them ahead of the inspection and discussed practice protocols and procedures. The compliance manager and head of compliance were available during the inspection. On the day of the inspection we also spoke with both dentists and 4 dental nurses. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday and Thursday from 8.55am to 7.30pm

Tuesday and Wednesday from 8.55am to 5.55pm

Friday from 8.55am to 5.25pm

Saturday from 9am to 2pm

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

• Take action to improve audits to ensure that they are carried out according to current guidance and where appropriate, they have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.