Health / Dental clinics inspected
INSPECTION reports of two private dental clinics in Lerwick have been released, with both praised for their quality of care whilst given some requirements and recommendations.
The routine inspections, by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), relate to Dental Shetland and the Family Dental Clinic.
Both clinics were given announced inspections in late June, with a team speaking to staff and also carrying out some patient surveys.
They were both given satisfactory grades in a number of key quality indicators, such as people’s experience of care and safe delivery of treatment.
Inspection findings for Dental Shetland – which is located near the Toll Clock Shopping Centre – said patient care and treatment was delivered in a “safe, clean and well-equipped environment” and that infection prevention and control policies and procedures were in line with national best practice.
However the dental clinic had not carried out a legionella risk assessment, despite weekly water testing, but this has now been acted on.
Inspectors also noted that two autoclaves in the decontamination room were “significantly overdue their annual service”, but following the inspection the clinic had arranged for their replacements.
It also found that radiation safety assessments for machines used for taking X-rays inside the mouth had expired on the week of the inspection. These assessments have since been carried out.
All staff were suitably trained for their job role and were actively keeping their skills up to date, the report said.
Patient feedback was also found to be “very positive” but a “more structured process for using patient feedback to improve the service should be introduced”.
The report also noted that “staff worked well together as a team to support each other and spoke positively about leadership attitudes”.
A recommendation was given for to develop and implement a quality improvement plan to formalise and direct the way it drives and measures improvement.
Practice manager Cheryl Lubbe said in response: “We are satisfied with the inspection and pleased we have shown our excellence and professional care once again.
“We have a brilliant team and the highest quality care for all our patients is our top priority.”
Meanwhile the Family Dental Clinic, near to the Grantfield roundabout, was also given some requirements and recommendations following the visit in late June.
It was told to purchase a separate fridge for storing medicines after inspectors found that medicines used for aesthetic treatments were stored in the staff fridge. This has now been carried out.
There was also a requirement to implement a contract with a company for the uplift and disposal of dental gypsum waste, and a recommendation to provide training on duty of candour or offer information to staff on where to access training.
“The service should continue to record patients’ Covid-19 status in patient care records and patients and staff should continue to use masks as per the most recent Covid-19 Scottish Government guidance,” the report added.
An action plan signed off in August shows that all of these recommendations have been worked on.
The inspectors added that the “patient environment and equipment were clean and well maintained and good systems were in place for this”, and patients gave good feedback about the standard of facilities.
“The service was delivered from modern premises that provided a clean and safe environment for patient care and treatment,” the report added.
Regular appraisals were carried out with staff and patients had confidence in their knowledge and skills, inspectors said.
They said within the small team “leadership was responsive and approachable”.
A spokesperson for the Family Dental Clinic said in response: “We all are extremely grateful to HIS for their expertise and to all our patients for their continuous support that helps us achieve our goals to provide quality patient care.”
The reports were two of a number of inspections carried out in recent months by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the national improvement body and regulator of private healthcare services.
Director of quality assurance Lynsey Cleland said: “It is vital that the people of Scotland who opt to use private healthcare services receive the best quality and standard of care, which is why these clinics must be registered with us and must submit to regular inspection.
“The majority of the private clinics we regulate provide cosmetic interventions. It is crucial that we provide assurances for the public that these procedures are carried out in safe and regulated environments.
“Registered clinics are required to demonstrate that they take the safety of their clients seriously, that they operate to the highest standards and are committed to continually improving the service they provide for clients.
“People should always check that a clinic is registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland before undertaking treatments.”
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