The dental practice is located on the first floor of the New Mills health centre. Access to the dental surgery is up a flight of stairs. There is no passenger lift or stair lift available. We discussed this with the dentist, who explained that alternative arrangements were available. An initial examination could be arranged either in a downstairs room at the health centre or in the person’s home. If treatment was required this could either be arranged at the practice’s Stockport surgery which is eight miles away and has a downstairs surgery. Alternatively a referral could be made to another local dentist who had a ground floor surgery.

We spoke with one National Health Service (NHS) patient. The patient said that they were extremely happy with their dental treatment. The patient said that they had been attending the surgery for several years. They told us: “Everything has been alright. The staff are very friendly, and they are flexible, sometimes I can’t attend at short notice, but they are very accommodating, and I am very grateful.”

During our inspection visit we carried out a visual inspection of the premises, and talked with staff. We observed documentation including staff training records and policies and procedures. Following our inspection visit we did not have any major concerns about Sett Valley Family Dental Centre.