From: Siobhain O'Donnell
Topic: Care Quality Commission (CQC)

The CQC is damned if it does and damned if it does not (inspect!).  However, it has responded positively to criticism recently by recruiting more inspectors and according to local intelligence, inspections (both planned and unannounced) have also increased.

I think it is important to keep in mind, though, that CQC inspections are just one way of checking that health and social care providers are fulfilling their legal responsibilities. It is ultimately the trust boards who must ensure that quality, effectiveness and user experience are central to everyone’s work right across the organisation at all times.  

Equally, commissioners have a responsibility via contracts to ensure that providers are delivering services that meet user requirements.