CQC Inspections

In April 2015 CQC (Care Quality Commission) introduced new fundamental standards and key lines of enquiries for monitoring the dental sector as a result of a review that saw the CQC recognise that dentistry could be classed as low risk compared to other areas it covers. 

As a result of this change in regulation, this now means that all dental practices have to provide evidence they are fully compliant at all times across five key lines of enquiries.  These are:

Is this practice....

• Safe
• Effective
• Caring
• Responsive
• Well-led

Practices are expected to be able to evidence that their policies and procedures are fully incorporated into the practice, are “living” documents and that all of the staff are fully aware and conversant on what the policies and procedures entail.

Going forward, the CQC inspections undertaken at a practice are to be very different.  For example, six weeks before an inspection takes place (and four weeks before the practice is even aware that an inspection is to take place) CQC will start gathering information from a number of different sources such as:

GDC
NHS England
NHS Choices
Consumer websites – such as Yell.com

In terms of the actual inspections....they will take all day and the inspector undertaking the review may be accompanied by a dentist who will interview all staff members (both clinical and administrative) and any patients who are prepared to be interviewed.  

Given these important changes, it’s vital that dental practice owners understand the new regulations and are prepared.  At Frank Taylor & Associates, we’re providing a series of one day seminars (CPD points available) where we cover all the key issues on running a successful practice in today’s marketplace.  For more details on these seminars, please call 0330 088 11 56 or visit ft-associates.com