18.04.13
Stronger inspections for CQC in new strategy
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has launched its three-year strategy, with promises to strengthen inspection regimes. The 2013-16 plan comes amid severe criticism of the organisation for failure to ensure patient safety.
Most recently, a report by the Health Select Committee warned about a lack of clarity in the CQC’s role.
Ministers have already announced the new post of a hospital chief inspector, and chief inspectors for social care and integrated care will also be introduced. A rating system, loosely based on the Ofsted-style standards for schools, will be applied to the health and social care system, alongside longer and larger inspections and clearer information for patients.
CQC chairman David Prior said: “This is an important moment for the CQC. We have recognised we need to change and are determined to do so swiftly. We will work with those we regulate and our own staff to develop a better system of regulation and to build a high-performing organisation that is well run.”
Mike Farrar, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “We want and need the CQC to be a success; it is incredibly important it carries the confidence of the public and the organisations it oversees.
“We need informed, and appropriate inspection, not necessarily more inspection. The CQC's move to re-establish inspection teams with specialist expertise will go a long way to re-instil confidence in its abilities.”
Stephen Dalton, chief executive of the NHS Confederation's Mental Health Network said: “We want to congratulate the CQC for producing a bold, even-handed and very clear statement on their direction of travel. We particularly welcome the involvement of service users as 'experts by experience' and senior clinical personnel and other leaders from provider organisations in the regulatory process.
“Whilst recognising the need for CQC to remain independent, the era of stand off that had developed between NHS providers and CQC in some places needs to be put behind us and the shared ambition of striving for best quality and promoting best practice can be a shared ambition to deliver a better NHS.”
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