CQC's plan to re-build a trusted approach to regulation
Mark Topps
Social Care Leader l Regional Business Manager | Co-Founder of The Caring View | Blogger | Award-Winning Care Mentor for Business Development, Mental Health, and Work-Life Balance
The Care Quality Commission have detailed their plan to re-build a trusted approach to their regulation. Here, I explore what this means for care providers and managers
Before we dive into this subject, if you have not already, please join over 9000 people and subscribe here so that you receive future newsletters straight to your email inbox ??
Key Changes and Immediate Actions
CQC’s New Initiatives
The Care Quality Commission has recently outlined a comprehensive plan to re-build trust in its regulatory processes. This initiative comes in response to recommendations from an interim report by Dr. Penny Dash and aims to enhance transparency, efficiency and clarity in the CQC’s operations.
Here’s a detailed look at the key changes and what they mean for health and care providers.
1. To strengthen leadership across the health and care sectors, the CQC is recruiting a new Chief Executive and appointing three Chief Inspectors. This move is expected to bring more focused oversight and drive improvements in regulatory practices.
2.The CQC is reviewing its single assessment framework with the help of experts like Professor Sir Mike Richards and Professor Vic Rayner OBE . This review is informed by feedback from colleagues, providers, and the public, ensuring that the framework is robust and reflective of real-world needs.
3. Several pilot projects are underway to test new approaches in managing relationships with providers and improving operational management. These pilots, starting with NHS trusts, will expand to other sectors and are expected to conclude early next year. The outcomes will guide the broader application of these new methods.
Enhancing Assessment and Reporting
1. The CQC is making changes to its single assessment framework by scoring at the quality statement level and rating at the key question level. This approach allows for a more nuanced evaluation of services, ensuring that ratings are comprehensive and accurate.
2. To streamline processes, the CQC is enhancing its use of technology. This includes improvements in how assessments are conducted, factual accuracy checks, report production, and registration processes. Additionally, updates to the provider portal will be rolled out in the coming weeks to further support these improvements.
Long-term Goals and Evaluation
The CQC is committed to continuous improvement and will independently evaluate the new approaches to ensure they meet their core purpose. This evaluation will involve collaboration with providers and the public to ensure that the changes are effective and beneficial.
Conclusion
The CQC’s initiative to re-build trust in its regulatory approach is a significant step towards improving the quality and safety of health and care services. By enhancing leadership, refining assessment frameworks, and leveraging technology, the CQC aims to create a more transparent, efficient, and reliable regulatory environment. These changes are not just about compliance but about fostering a culture of continuous improvement and trust within the health and care sectors.
I hope this detailed blog post helps your readers understand the CQC’s new initiatives and how they can benefit from these changes.
You can read the full update from the CQC here
If you need any more information or further assistance, feel free to ask!
If you enjoyed this article, join over 9000 people and subscribe here so that you receive future newsletters straight to your email inbox ??
Health and Social Care Consultant
1 周Do I have faith, the answer is no. Yes CQC do use experts and no disrespect but we need experts from other services so that CQC really understand "the various sectors, ie home care services ". Personally those that head up CQC are just doing a quick fix and we will be back to square one in another year. I am not against regulation but lets have a process that works, is easily understood by providers, likewise Inspectors who are consistent, fair, approachable and knowledgeable. CQC please take the time to invest in a process that will really improve the persons experience. The present 34 confusing quality statements are not fit for purpose.
Executive Director/ Kindness Ambassador / Founder and CEO, Dementia Advocate
1 周Really interesting Mark - whilst Cqc is on its journey to regain sector trust, an important missing part is leveraging that health and social care is off good intentions, thus an iron fist does build the collaboration required. Inspectors should be seen an cocreators of outstanding care equally inputting into the evolution of how care is provided by all stakeholders.
Founder Director at Pentafold Ltd | Advanced Clinical Practitioner: Enhancing healthcare with tech, AI, and research. Passionate about health tech, informatics, and design. Artist, podcast host, and public speaker.
1 周Love this Mark
Squirrel Medical Class 2a Active Mattresses. Regulatory Compliance. Peer Review Journal of Wound Care / Pubmed. Expert Witness Adverse Events Beds & Mattresses.
1 周It’s concerning that while the CQC is working to build a more trusted regulatory approach, a critical gap remains unaddressed:?700,000 people in the UK suffer from pressure ulcers, yet there is no check to confirm that the mattresses they're sleeping on are legally compliant Class 2a medical devices, as required by the MHRA. If a mattress isn't properly registered and audited, it could be unsafe, clinically ineffective, and result in the loss of insurance cover. This exposes care providers and prescribers to potential litigation – a significant risk that's completely avoidable. All the CQC needs to do is ask care providers for proof of Class 2a MHRA registration for active mattresses. A simple check, but one that could greatly enhance patient safety and accountability. As the CQC continues to work towards more transparent and robust regulation, addressing this issue should be a priority to protect both residents and care providers. Mark, your excellent article re~:CQC’s new initiatives is insightful – but this is one area where more action is urgently needed to ensure safe and effective care for all.
CIO | Leading Digital Transformation
1 周Interesting