We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 9 March 2017 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

MyDentist Leamington Road Dental Practice provides NHS dental treatment to patients of all ages and has a small private practice list. The services include preventative advice ,treatment and routine restorative dental care.

The staff team consists of two dentists, a dental hygienist and three qualified dental nurses, a trainee nurse, one receptionist and a practice manager.

The practice is in north Blackpool and is based in a converted listed building which has recently undergone refurbishment. The practice has three surgeries, of which one is situated on the ground floor, a decontamination room, a waiting room and a reception area. There is limited access for patients with disabilities. The building is a Victorian property and the provider is unable to improve the access. A portable ramp is available for patients who cannot manage the steps into the building.

The opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm and Saturday 9:00am – 4.30pm.

The practice manager 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.

Our key findings were:

• The premises were visibly clean and tidy.
• The practice had procedures in place to record and analyse significant events and incidents.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, and knew the process to follow to raise concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies, and emergency medicines and equipment were available.
• Patients’ needs were assessed, and care and treatment were delivered, in accordance with current legislation, standards, and guidance.
• Patients received information about their care, proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Staff were supported to deliver effective care and opportunities for training and learning were available.
• Patients were treated with kindness, dignity and respect.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and emergency appointments were available.
• Services were planned and delivered to meet the needs of patients, and reasonable adjustments were made to enable patients to receive their care and treatment.
• The practice gathered the views of patients and took their views into account.
• Staff were supervised, felt involved and worked as a team.
• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice and for the delivery of high quality person centred care.

There were no patients in the practice at the time of our visit.

We looked at the results of the patient satisfaction survey undertaken in November 2011. Results from this survey confirm that patients are happy with the service they receive.

In the surgery’s comments book patients had recorded,

‘All the family are very happy with the excellent service.’

‘I was completely at ease in spite of my health problems.’

‘I am very happy with my dental care. The staff are pleasant and most helpful.’