New CQC inspection framework explained
15/02/18
By April 2019, all NHS Trusts will have undergone an inspection under phase 2 of CQC inspection regime. This new inspection activity started in June 2017 and is gathering pace. The new style inspection reports are starting to be published on the CQC’s website and are attracting local and national press interest. So, what has changed from the previous inspection regime and what has stayed the same?
In connection with HEFMA, Partner, Ian Cooper has written an insight outlining 10 things you need to know about the CQC’s new inspection framework:
What has changed?
- ‘Well-led’ inspections -The new CQC inspections consist of two elements; a ‘well-led’ inspection and an inspection of at least one core service.
- New Use of Resources inspections and reports - The CQC continues to inspect and rate the quality of care provided. However, for non-specialist acute Trusts, NHS Improvement will also undertake an inspection, lasting a day and concentrating on how efficiently and effectively NHS Trusts are using their resources to provide high quality, sustainable care.
- Inspection intervals - Each Trust will receive at least one new style inspection between June 2017 and Spring 2019. Thereafter, each NHS Trust will be subjected to an annual ‘well-led’ inspection plus an inspection of one or more core service.
- New reporting format - The reports which will be published following a new style inspection will change. The main report will be a shorter inspection report; setting out the main findings and also the new ratings in each area
- Mixing old and new ratings - The main report will contain a ratings table which will consist of a mixture of the new ratings arising from the latest inspection and the old ratings from the previous inspection (i.e. those areas not inspected this time round).
- Merged Trusts - The CQC has confirmed that when a Trust acquires or merges with another Trust then the ratings of both Trusts will not be aggregated for up to two years.
- New KLOEs - The CQC will continue to inspect against the five key questions of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led but will use a slightly tweaked set of KLOEs and prompts which will now apply to any registered provider delivering healthcare services (all NHS Trusts, GP practices, GP out-of-hours and NHS 111 services).
What has stayed the same?
No changes have been made to the following in the new inspection regime:
- The fundamental standards
- Enforcement
- Factual accuracy process
Read the full article
To read the full article and find out more about the areas that have changed and remain the same follow this link.
If you require any help with CQC related issues, including challenging an inspection report, please contact us. We have significant experience of helping NHS Trusts in this area and specifically in relation to the new reports.
