Bridge Dental Practice

On this page

• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

We found this practice was not providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations. We will be following up on our concerns to ensure they have been put right by the provider. During our assessment of this key question, we found that: The registered person had systems or processes that operated ineffectively in that they failed to enable them to assess, monitor and mitigate the risks relating to the health, safety and welfare of service users and others who may be at risk. This resulted in a breach of Regulation 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can find more details of our concerns in the evidence category findings below.

Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.

The judgement for Shared direction and culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Freedom to speak up is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

We found staff to be open to discussion and feedback. The practice staff and provider demonstrated a transparent and open culture in relation to people’s safety. Staff told us there was strong leadership with emphasis on people’s safety and continually striving to improve. Staff told us they had clear responsibilities, roles and systems of accountability to support good governance and management. Feedback from staff was obtained through informal discussions. Practice meetings were held a few times per year as and when the management team decided this was necessary. Staff were encouraged to offer suggestions for improvements to the service, and they said these were listened to and acted upon, where appropriate. Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued. They were proud to work in the practice. We saw the practice had effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities. Staff told us how they collected and responded to feedback from patients, the public and external partners.

During the assessment process, some evidence was not present and needed to be requested. There was no records for the 3 yearly performance check for the Orthopantomograph (OPG). This was provided demonstrating the performance check had been completed after this assessment. The Electrical Installation Condition Report completed in 2022 showed an unsatisfactory rating with areas of high risk highlighted. This was addressed after this assessment. There was no evidence that emergency lighting had received an annual service. The processes for overseeing recruitment and ongoing staff training were not effective. Staff appraisals were not undertaken. Some areas that required improvement were acted on immediately. Improvements were needed to the oversight of the practice and to ensure information about systems and processes was readily available and embedded. The practice had a governance system which included policies, protocols and procedures that were accessible to all members of staff and were reviewed on a regular basis. Relevant policies and protocols were in place for the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV). The practice had information governance arrangements and staff were aware of the importance of protecting patients’ personal information. Staff password protected patients’ electronic care records, and paper records were stored securely and complied with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Clinipads were used to store signed documents electronically in patient records, this helped to improve data security. Patients also had access to a patient portal if requested, this enabled them to access and manage their dental information, including appointments. The practice had systems to review and investigate incidents and accidents, and for receiving and acting on safety alerts. The practice responded to concerns and complaints appropriately. Staff discussed outcomes to share learning and improve the service.

The judgement for Partnerships and communities is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

The judgement for Learning, improvement and innovation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.