Update

Our monthly update for providers and professionals working in primary medical and dental services

Interim report publication: Review of restraint, prolonged seclusion and segregation for people with a mental health problem, a learning disability and or autism

We have published the interim findings of our review of the use of restrictive interventions in places that provide care for people with mental health problems, a learning disability and/or autism. The interim report focuses on 39 people who are cared for in segregation on a ward for people with a learning disability or mental health problems for children and young people.

On our visits we found that a high proportion of people in segregation had autism, many staff lacked the necessary training and skills, and some of the wards did not have a built environment that was suitable for people with autism. This is a few of the findings, and the interim report makes a number of recommendations for the health and care system, including for CQC itself.

Independent review into regulation of Whorlton Hall

A recent episode of BBC’s Panorama programme uncovered shocking abuse taking place at a service for people with a learning disability and/or autism.

Dr Paul Lelliott, Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals (lead for mental health), has given a full statement in response.

We will be commissioning an independent review into our regulation of Whorlton Hall between 2015 and 2019, which will include recommendations for how our regulation of similar services can be improved, in the context of a raised level of risk of abuse and harm. The full terms of reference for the review will be published on our website and the findings will be presented at our public board meetings. 

Continuation of regulatory history

As part of our new approach to registration we have changed the way we display a provider’s history. 

This means that ratings information, inspection reports and details of enforcement action will stay with a location when it moves or changes ownership. This ensures:

• greater transparency for the public
• providers will not lose any existing ratings for their locations.
• CQC can take a more proportionate and efficient approach to inspecting after a change of registration.

Re-registrations, completed on or after 1 April 2019, are now displaying their previous ratings and reports online. For example see Cartmel Surgery.

Join CQC’s digital participation platform!

We are piloting a different way of gaining your feedback and ideas to shape our work – a digital platform. You will be able to get involved in different ways: sharing your feedback through discussions, reviewing documents, responding to surveys, posting your own ideas, and voting and commenting on the ideas of others.

This is a pilot so we’ll be collecting views throughout on what people think and how we could make it even better!

How do I sign up? It's easy! Follow the instructions on the sign up page.

You can use an email address or your Google or Facebook account. We’ll also ask you a few questions about what groups you represent and what health and social care services you use, work in or are interested in. This information is important to us because it will help us make sure you see the participation opportunities that are relevant to your interests.

IR(ME)R updates

We have recently updated the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R) enforcement policy following the implementation of new regulations in 2018. The changes reflect new powers granted to CQC in regulating medical equipment using ionising radiation.

We have also published guidance on what constitutes significant accidental and unintended exposures (or SAUE) and how these should be notified. 

Find out more about IR(ME)R on our website.

News from CQC

• Last month our Chief Inspector for Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care wrote in her blog about our important joint work with Ofsted on inspections of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) services. You can find her blog on Medium if you missed it.
• We have published an updated Memorandum of Understanding with Ofsted. This is a statement of intent to work together, setting the legal context of the partnership. 

News elsewhere in primary care

• The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has published its report 'Fit for the Future', setting out its vision for the future of general practice, central to which is the call for “an end to the standard 10-minute GP consultation”.
• NHS England and Improvement published figures on A&E visits prevented as a result of the work of NHS 111.
• The General Dental Council (GDC) has published data that demonstrates that “nearly one third of the warnings issued by the GDC in the past five years relate to personal conduct matters.”
• NHS England and Improvement had published an updated FAQ document on Primary Care Networks.
• NICE have published an impact report on stroke. The report highlights progress made
  by the health and care system in implementing NICE guidance.
• The Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR) programme 2018 annual report has been published. The report suggests that policies relating to the care and support of people with learning disabilities still require strengthening, and makes a number of recommendations for health and social care regarding the action required to make improvements. 

Events in primary care

• The agenda for Health and Care Innovation Expo will be published in June, and all NHS and public sector staff can claim free-of-charge tickets using the code EXPO19.

  The two-day event, on 4-5 September at Manchester Central, will include a dedicated exhibition feature zone focused on Primary Care Networks and their role in system transformation. There will also be main-stage discussion with national and regional Primary Care Network leaders, and a range of workshops on digital transformation in primary care.

  Discounts are available for non-profit and SME providers – contact them for details.

  Find out more at www.england.nhs.uk/expo and follow @ExpoNHS on Twitter for the latest updates.

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