30.01.15
All healthcare organisations must publicly display CQC ratings
All public and private healthcare organisations will be required to publicly display their CQC inspection rating under new rules proposed by the government.
The new rules, introduced to Parliament earlier this week, will result in hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes having to display the inspection rating that has been awarded by the Care Quality Commission.
The CQC ratings must be clearly visible, such as in waiting rooms or entrances, and must be published on an organisation’s website with a link to the inspection report.
The Department of Health says that it will strengthen transparency in healthcare, with the aim of driving up standards across the country.
Care minister Norman Lamb said: “The public should have ready access to how well a provider is doing and this means providers being upfront about the rating CQC has given them. So when a patient or member of the public looks online or walks through the door of their local hospital, GP surgery or a care home, they can see a clear rating of how safe and effective that service is.
“I am sure that providers who are awarded a ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ rating by CQC, will want to highlight their achievement. Providers who receive a ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’ rating are less likely to wish to publicise this fact.
“This is why we want to place a clear legal requirement on providers to display the rating awarded by CQC, to ensure that this clear assessment of provider quality is accessible to people when they use services.”
The law is expected to come into force on 1 April 2015, subject to Parliamentary approval.
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