The Coach House

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 4 May 2022 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• 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.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance but these were not always followed.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies but appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were not always available.
• The practice did not have systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff, they carried out a recent fire risk assessment in January 2022 but we saw no evidence that any other risk assessments were completed.
• Safeguarding processes required improvement as the safeguarding lead had not completed safeguarding training and no safeguarding policy was in place.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff always took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• There was no effective leadership or culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff and patients were not asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements which required improvement.

Background

The provider has one practice and this report is about The Coach House. The Coach House is in Stoke and provides private 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 are available near the practice on a nearby road.

The dental team includes one dentist and one dental nurse/receptionist. The practice has one treatment room.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist and one dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, closing between 1pm and 2pm for lunch.

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

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

• Implement an effective system for identifying, disposing and replenishing of out-of-date stock.

Full details of the regulations the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.