24.02.16
CQC works with Neighbourhood Watch to encourage people to report services
People are being encouraged to report their concerns about health and social care bodies in their neighbourhood by a new partnership between the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (NHWN).
The partnership comes after a joint survey between the organisations found that 63% of NHWN members had heard of CQC, but just 52% were aware they could report their concerns about a health or social care service to them.
Only 22% said they had read a CQC inspection report and 61% were unaware of the CQC’s ratings system.
Jill Morrell, head of public engagement at the CQC, said: “We know that Neighbourhood Watch members are invested in building safe and friendly communities, and CQC work to make sure that health and social care services in England provide people with safe, effective, compassionate and high-quality care.
“We see this partnership as an opportunity to work together towards a common goal of improving health and social care within local communities and neighbourhoods.”
This is an interesting move, as the CQC has faced recent criticisms of its effectiveness in carrying out its work, including a Public Accounts Committee report in December which criticised it for a lack of attention to detail and long gaps between inspections and reports.
(Image c. CQC)