Browne's Dental Surgery Limited

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations and had taken into consideration appropriate guidance.

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

The judgement for Learning culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The judgement for Safe systems, pathways and transitions is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The judgement for Safeguarding is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The judgement for Involving people to manage risks is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

Staff knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year. Staff were encouraged to participate in medical emergency scenario training. Staff we spoke with told us that equipment and instruments were well maintained and readily available. The provider described the processes they had in place to identify and manage risks. Staff felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice and the reporting of risks was encouraged.

Emergency medicines were available and checked in accordance with national guidance. Staff could access these in a timely way. Some items of emergency equipment were either missing or out of date. We were provided with evidence to demonstrate that these items were ordered immediately following this assessment. The log used to check the emergency equipment did not record the expiry dates, we were assured that this log would be updated to include expiry dates. The temperature of the fridge used to store an emergency medicine was not being monitored at the required frequency. We were assured that this would be monitored and logged daily going forward and evidence was provided following this assessment to demonstrate action taken. The premises were clean, well maintained and free from clutter. Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and stored safely. We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions. Fire exits were clear and fire safety equipment was serviced and well maintained. Temporary fire exit directional signs were put in place on the first floor of the building during this assessment and new signage ordered.

The practice ensured equipment was safe to use and maintained and serviced according to manufacturers’ instructions. The practice ensured the facilities were maintained in accordance with regulations. A fire safety risk assessment was carried out in line with the legal requirements. The management of fire safety was effective. The practice had arrangements to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment and the required radiation protection information was available. The local rules were not site specific but we were assured that these would be updated immediately. The three yearly performance check had not been completed for the radiography equipment in one of the surgeries. This was scheduled to be completed on 13 January 2025. The practice had risk assessments to minimise the risk that could be caused from substances that are hazardous to health. The practice had implemented systems to assess, monitor and manage risks to patient and staff safety. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working. The practice had systems for appropriate and safe handling of medicines. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.

Staff we spoke with had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were sufficient staffing levels. Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued. They were proud to work in the practice. Nursing staff discussed their training needs during annual appraisals. Practice team meetings were held for all staff approximately 4 times per year, 1 to 1 meetings were held as required and ongoing informal discussions were held. Staff discussed learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development. Staff we spoke with demonstrated knowledge of safeguarding and were aware of how safeguarding information could be accessed. Staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedure to help them employ suitable staff, including for agency or locum staff. These reflected the relevant legislation. The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover. Newly appointed staff had a structured induction and clinical staff completed continuing professional development required for their registration with the General Dental Council. The practice had arrangements to ensure staff training was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals. We saw the practice had effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities.

The practice appeared clean, there was a weekly cleaning audit completed but no cleaning log or schedules. The practice manager discussed the action to address this and developed and implemented a cleaning schedule and log during this assessment. We saw that local anaesthetic ampoules were not being stored in blister packs in dental surgeries. We were assured that staff would be reminded to store these products appropriately going forward and following this assessment, we were sent evidence to demonstrate that new local anaesthetic was available in blister packaging. Staff followed infection control principles, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Hazardous waste was segregated and disposed of safely. There was scope to increase the security of waste storage as this was in an area accessible to patients and was not secured to prevent unauthorised access. The practice did not provide a sanitary waste bin in the ground floor toilet. Immediately following this assessment, we were sent evidence to demonstrate that action had been taken to address both of these issues. We observed the decontamination of used dental instruments, which aligned with national guidance.

The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance and the equipment in use was maintained and serviced. Staff demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes and we saw single use items were not reprocessed. Staff had appropriate training and the practice completed infection prevention and control (IPC) audits in line with current guidance. The practice had procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems in line with a risk assessment. A further risk assessment had been scheduled due to the planned changes at the practice. We were assured that any action would be taken following this risk assessment if required. Changes were made to the practice’s procedures in place to ensure clinical waste was segregated and stored appropriately in line with guidance.

The judgement for Medicines optimisation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.