THE Care Quality Commission has delivered a damning report on a Wickford dental practice and taken immediate action to ensure standards are raised.

Inspectors visited Wickford Dental Practice at 68 London Road in December and have now released their findings, saying that patient safety is in jeopardy.

It was found that the practice was not providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations and that there were significant failings in its leadership and management.

Key findings from the inspection, which can be read in full here were:

• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance including guidance related to the management of COVID-19. However these were not being monitored to ensure that they were fully understood and adhered to.

• The provider had systems to help them manage risks to patients and staff. However there were ineffective arrangements to monitor these systems and ensure that risks to patients and staff were assessed and managed.

• The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation. Improvements were needed to ensure that important checks were carried out to determine the suitability of temporary agency staff who worked at the practice.

• The provider had ineffective leadership to support a culture of openness and continuous improvement.

• There were ineffective governance systems to monitor the day-to-day running of the practice.

Inspectors identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

Nub News has invited the practice to comment but it has not responded.