How is CQC inspection changing?

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) single assessment framework came into force on 13 May – what does this mean for inspection processes?

The CQC began inspecting dental practices using the single assessment framework on 13 May. Most practices may not notice a significant difference during inspections. However those last inspected before April 2015 may notice more changes.

What is staying the same?

• Good will still be good and practices that need to make improvements will still need to improve
• The five key questions will be the same (safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led)
• The regulations are still governed by the Health and Social Care Act?
• Risk-based assessments will still be important
• 10% of dental practices will be inspected every year with a focus on inspecting practices that have not been inspected for a long time and practices that have never been inspected
• Dental practices will still not be rated.

Key areas of focus for inspectors

• Infection prevention and control?
• Staffing – robust recruitment processes, sufficient competent staff, training and supervision?
• Equipment and premises?
• Delivering evidence-based care?
• Good governance?
• Safeguarding?
• Consent and patient records
• Medicines management?
• Complaints?
• Caring and responsive care.

These are very similar to their current areas of focus.

What is changing?

The key lines of enquiry (KLOEs) have been replaced by 34 quality statements with practices being required to provide evidence of compliance with the relevant quality statement.?

For each evidence category practices will be assessed as:

• Regulations met or
• Regulations not all met.

There will be a significant emphasis on feedback from patients and team members.?

How can we help?

Here at Dentistry Compliance powered by Apolline, we already support hundreds of dental practices of all sizes. Our dental compliance software ensures our clients and members have all they need to navigate the CQC’s requirements.?

One of our flagship resources within our software is our?patient and staff satisfaction surveys. The tool provides real-time feedback and national benchmarking – both of which will allow you to demonstrate to the CQC that you comply with their focus on feedback.??

If you'd like to see more of how Dentistry Compliance can save you time in practice please do book a dental compliance health check.

The Dentistry Compliance Roadshow comes to London on Tuesday 18 June

Join us for an exciting Compliance Roadshow where I'll be presenting a my lecture 'CQC - all change or is it?' This in-person event will take place in London, where you can learn about the latest and best practices in compliance. Don't miss this opportunity to network with industry professionals and gain valuable insights from one of the leading authorities in the field.

There's also an in-person Compliance Clinic giving you the chance to pose any compliance related questions or challenges you're facing as a practice to the industry's leading experts.

Register now to secure your spot!

Avoiding clinical complaints (1h CPD)

On May 14 Dentistry Webinars hosted a presentation on 'Avoiding clinical complaints', if you missed this event there's still time to watch it on-demand and claim 1h of CPD.

This webinar aims to provide practical advice, hints and tips on how best to avoid clinical complaints and guidance on complaints handling.

Learning outcomes

• A better understanding of why patients complain
• How to avoid complaints
• The essentials of good complaints management
• The importance of keeping excellent patient records