The state of adult social care services 2014 to 2017 report published
On Thursday 6 July we published The state of adult social care services 2014 to 2017, a national report presenting the findings from our comprehensive programme of adult social care inspections.
This is the first time such focused analysis on a national scale has been possible, following the introduction of our new regulatory regime for adult social care in October 2014.
Our report finds that while the majority of adult social care services are of a high quality and many are improving, too many people across England are receiving care in care homes and in their own home that is not good enough.
Without a proper recognition of the importance of adult social care and a renewed commitment to quality, the numbers of people affected by poor care could increase and have a profound impact on their lives.
You can read more here.
|
|
 |
Quality matters launches
CQC joined with over 100 people, organisations and national bodies with an interest in adult social care to mark the launch of Quality matters on Wednesday 12 July.
Quality matters sets out a shared vision on how quality care and support can be achieved and person-centred care becomes the norm for all.
This piece of work has been jointly developed to ensure that staff, providers, commissioners and funders, regulators and other national bodies all play their part in listening to and acting upon the voice of people using services, their families and carers.
Age Speaks radio show recorded a special episode with coverage of the launch event. You can listen here.
Please visit the Department of Health website to find the Quality matters document, an easy-to-read version, and the action plan that sets out what organisations will do to achieve the ambitions of the commitment.
Reminder: next phase of regulation consultation now open
On Monday 12 June 2017 we launched our second consultation on our next phase of regulation. We are seeking views on specific proposals for how we will:
- improve the structure of registration and clarify our definition of registered providers
- monitor, inspect and rate new models of care and large or complex providers
- use our unique knowledge to encourage improvements in the quality of care in local areas
- regulate primary medical services and adult social care services
- carry out our role in relation to the fit and proper persons requirement.
We want to keep the elements that we know people value, and to improve what people tell us we can do better. We will continue to work with people who use services, providers, professionals and our other local and national partners to co-produce what we do.
You can respond to this consultation until Tuesday 8 August using this online web form.
CQC to conduct 12 reviews of health and social care systems
CQC has been asked by the Secretaries of State for Health and for Communities and Local Government to undertake a programme of local system reviews of health and social care in 12 local authority areas.
As part of the review we will look specifically at how people move between health and social care, including delayed transfers of care, with a particular focus on people over 65 years old.
You can read more here.
 |
|
Safer management of controlled drugs report published
CQC are responsible for making sure that health and social care providers, and other regulators, maintain a safe environment for managing controlled drugs in England.
This report sets out key changes to legislation, provides an overview of prescribing data and prescribing trends for controlled drugs across England in the primary care sector and also makes three recommendations to strengthen existing arrangements.
You can read more about the report here.
|
Factual accuracy guidance update
We have updated our Factual Accuracy
Guidance to help make the guidance more consistent and clear. You can find the
guidance on the 'Requesting a review of ratings' page
of our website.
What has changed?
Section 3 has been amended to
clarify the types of comments that can be submitted. This includes the
requirement for providers to submit information in support of any alleged
inaccuracy. Providers are also asked to specify precisely which wording in the
information they submit supports their comments and which page and paragraph in
the draft inspection report that wording relates to. If this is missing, the
provider can be asked for this and, if not given, the information may not be
considered.
Section 6 has been clarified to
show how CQC considers and responds to comments. This includes CQC seeking
information from a provider who has suggested there is inaccuracy or omission
of information in the draft report, but has not submitted any information. CQC
will consider whether information could reasonably be obtained from whoever
holds it and, if so, should seek it.
 Comic Relief Care Home Challenge Fund open for applications
Comic Relief are seeking applications from care home providers to deliver activities to improve the wellbeing of older residents, and help staff and residents forge stronger relationships.
They are keen to receive proposals which view these activities as an opportunity to build bigger positive change within care homes that will be sustained beyond the life of the funding.
The deadline for submitting an application is midday on Friday 4 August. To find out more about the fund and how to apply visit the Comic Relief website.
|
Annual report and accounts for 2016/17 published
On Tuesday 18 July, we published our annual
report and accounts setting out what we have achieved in 2016/17 and the
further work we have planned to deliver the ambitions of our five-year strategy
for a more targeted, responsive and collaborative approach to regulation.
You can read more here.
Quarterly provider mini-survey
As part of our ongoing commitment to refine our approach, we are conducting a quarterly survey of providers into a number of key areas of our work. We would value your time to answer some quick questions about our work.
You can access the survey here
 Exciting opportunity to join CQC as an inspector
We
will be advertising shortly for Adult Social Care Inspectors to join the South
East Region predominantly Kent, Medway, Sussex and
Brighton & Hove areas. Full details will soon be available in the
Jobs section of our website.
|
General Data Protection Regulation guidance
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force in May 2018 and will replace much of the Data Protection Act 1998 as well as introduce changes to the legal responsibilities for all organisations that process personal data.
A national GDPR working group, chaired by NHS England and including representation from CQC, is developing guidance to support health and social care organisations to understand what they need to do to comply with the GDPR. The guidance will be published by the Information Governance Alliance.
The first part of this guidance has now been published and is a briefing for Chief Executives of health organisations (but useful to other senior leaders) setting out the key changes and why they are important. You can also find useful information on preparing for GDPR on the Information Commissioner’s website.
Accessible Information Standard guidance
From October we will look at and report on how services are meeting the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) when we inspect. The AIS aims to improve the lives and life expectancy of people who need information to be communicated in a specific way.
Follow
us on Twitter!
Keep up with our work with professionals and provider organisations in England by following us on Twitter @CQCProf.
|
