01.03.16
DH decision to allow CQC fee rise ‘regrettable’ - NHS Providers
The announcement that the government will give the Care Quality Commission (CQC) powers to press ahead with controversial fee increases has been described as “regrettable” by NHS Providers.
The final report on the Department of Health consultation admits that the majority of respondents were opposed to the proposal to increase fees from mid-sized NHS trusts and foundation trusts, and wanted the CQC to become more transparent.
The consultation report says that it will recommend to Parliament that the increased fees are introduced from 1 April 2016, with the caveats that the CQC should demonstrate that it is becoming more efficient and provides value for money. However, it will not extend the CQC’s fee raising powers in other areas.
Miriam Deakin, NHS Providers head of policy, said: “It is regrettable that despite a consensus of opinion across respondents to the consultation, government will be proceeding with these proposals in order to enable the CQC to move to a model of full cost recovery.”
NHS Providers CEO Chris Hopson warned last year that raising the fee, which will see some providers face near seven-fold increases, represented a significant cost for NHS trusts at the same time as they are facing financial pressures, with 179 out of 240 providers running a deficit.
The potential rise, which could see NHS trusts’ fees increase by 75% over two years and GP’s practices’ fees increase by 255%, were also opposed by NHS Clinical Commissioners and the British Medical Association.
They come at a difficult time for the CQC, after it was called ineffective in a damning recent Public Accounts Committee report.