22 August 2012
During an inspection looking at part of the service
The Commission carried out an inspection on the 22 August 2012 at the Thornton Heath location to assess whether the registered provider was compliant with the two warning notices issued in June 2012. The warning notices were issued to the provider for breaches of regulation 12 - cleanliness and infection control and regulation 17 -complaints.
On 10 August 2012 two Care Quality Commission compliance inspectors entered the surgery to follow up on the two warning notices and a compliance action set following our review of compliance on the 18 May 2012. The registered provider told them that the surgery was closed on Fridays and they were not available at that time and requested that we return at another time.
We returned on the 22 August at the same time as an NHS Primary Care (PCT) were visiting the surgery to assess the registered provider's compliance with the remedial notice for breaches of the NHS contract held with the provider. The NHS Primary Care Contracting team was led by the Associate Director of Primary Care Contracting accompanied by an infection, prevention and control specialist and a dental advisor.
Following their visit the PCT sought and obtained the agreement of the registered provider to remain closed
The registered sole provider and dental practitioner on the 20 April 2012, was suspended by order of the General Dental Council ('GDC') preventing them from practising dentistry for a period of at least nine months, in order to protect patients and the public. As a result of the suspension, the registered provider had engaged the services of a locum dentist, to treat patients at the practise.
The Commission had received intelligence from the NHS Primary Care (PCT) contracting team visited the surgery on the 8 August 2012. They had identified a number of serious concerns in terms of the running of the practise and delivery of dental treatment to patients. The PCT issued a remedial notice for breach of their contract with the provider. This resulted in a voluntary closure of the Thornton Health Dental Practice occurring on 8 August 2012.
The PCT served a remedial notice on the practice; the notice required the registered provider to make improvements at the surgery in relation to infection control, medication, clinical governance arrangements, quality assurance systems and compliance with legislation and guidance by the 22 August 2012.
Because no patients were being seen or treated by the registered provider we were unable to speak with people who used the service for the purpose of this review.
Where areas of non-compliance have been identified during inspection they are being followed up and we will report on any action when it is complete.