CQC has issued a new consultation for Independent Healthcare providers. These changes build on CQC's new strategy of a more targeted and responsive inspection regime. It seeks to align independent healthcare sector inspections with other healthcare providers such as the NHS. This builds on the consultation in June 2017 around changes to the inspection regime by CQC across all sectors. Get your views in before 23 March 2018!

The key points are:

1) How "Well Led" the organisation is will get far more scrutiny by CQC. They are proposing to change the registration requirements to expand the definition of a provider. They want to ensure that those who are the controlling mind of an organisation are held to account for the quality of the care. An overall provider rating, rather than simply a location rating, will be introduced. More details on this will follow in the Spring.

2) The development of more robust data collection by CQC (CQC Insight tool) to monitor quality across a service which could trigger an inspection. CQC will be asking for regular information about a service and will arrange regular meetings.

3) Unannounced and short notice inspections are anticipated, with shorter inspection reports.

4) Healthcare services not previously rated by CQC such as renal services will be rated in the same way as other services currently rated.

We’re planning to develop the way we regulate independent healthcare services. Tell us your views on our proposals - we want to hear from anyone with an interest.