Access to care
It is vitally important that older and disabled people living in care homes and in the community can access hospital care and treatment for coronavirus and other conditions when they need it during the pandemic.
We have published an update for all providers reminding them of their duties to make sure that local guidelines or decision-making protocols ensure that clinical decisions and pathways are not discriminatory and enable equal access to hospital care and treatment for everyone. Visit our website for more information.
COVID-19 testing and PPE for CQC inspectors
We recently wrote to all registered adult social care providers to update on a number of issues, including COVID-19 testing for inspectors, PPE, and inspectors signing disclaimers against insurance claims.
We take our role in infection prevention and control (IPC) very seriously and have been considering the precautions our inspection teams should take as we increase on-side activity. We have consulted with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) about accessing COVID-19 tests for inspectors. DHSC have assessed that CQC inspectors do not meet the criteria for weekly asymptomatic testing, as inspectors are not required to undertake 'hands on' closer personal contact with people.
Our inspectors will be following the latest Public Health England guidance detailing what PPE should be work in different circumstances in adult social care. Read the update in full.
Inspectors signing disclaimers against insurance claims
Some adult social care providers have asked whether they can require CQC inspectors to sign a disclaimer before or during an inspection visit to a service, to confirm that they will not make any insurance claim on the provider in relation to consequences from a COVID-19 acquired infection caught whilst on the premises.
We have considered this and have advised our inspectors that they should not sign any such disclaimers when visiting services as part of our regulatory role. Read our recent update for more information.
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CQC: now, next and the future
In a new blog, Care Quality Commission Chief Executive, Ian Trenholm, discusses the immediate priorities for CQC, what’s coming next with our Transitional Regulatory Approach, and further ahead to our future strategy. Read the blog.
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Share your views: next steps for Provider Collaboration Reviews
The first series of Provider Collaboration Reviews have focused on the interface between health and adult social care for the over-65 population group, as this group has been particularly affected by coronavirus.
Our ambition is to look at provider collaboration in all Integrated Care Systems (ICS) and Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) areas. We're keen to hear your views on the areas and pathways of systems, and which different population groups future reviews could focus on. Share your views in this short survey.
Free flu vaccines for health and social care workers
Public Health England (PHE) have launched a campaign encouraging staff working across health and social care to get their free flu vaccine. This year, with circulation of coronavirus, flu vaccination is more important than ever, with the largest ever flu vaccination programme being planned. The vaccine protects you, your family and those you care for from the flu.
Visit the PHE website to order a range of free resources including flyers, posters and stickers to encourage your colleagues to get vaccinated. If you order as soon as possible delivery will arrive at your service this month.
Beat the Heat - keep residents safe and well
During previous heatwaves, people in residential and care settings have been at particularly high risk of illness and death. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important that you know what actions to take to keep people using services safe from high temperatures.
Public Health England, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England have updated their Heatwave Plan for England and added some hot weather and COVID-19 specific resources. The plan and a number of resources, including a poster, flyer and checklist, can be found on the GOV.UK website.
You can find specific guidance for care home managers and staff on the NHS website. This includes information on core temperature and heat stroke.
Hydration is also important in the warmer weather, and providers may wish to remind themselves of guidance relating to Regulation 14: Meeting nutritional and hydration needs.
'Help us to help you' campaign launch
NHS England and Improvement has launched a cancer-specific push as part of the NHS's 'Help us to help you' campaign to encourage people to go to their GP if they have any symptoms that could be cancer.
Celebrities with cancer, including Bill Turnbull and the Nolan sisters, have joined NHS doctors to encourage the public to come forward to vital, life-saving checks. The call comes after concerns were raised that people have delayed seeking help due to the coronavirus pandemic.
For more information, visit the NHS England and Improvement website. If you would like to support the campaign, resources including social media assets and post copy, high res posters and press ads are available to download.
Listen to our podcast
In a new series of podcasts we'll be exploring potential themes for our future strategy.
The first four episodes are now available, in which we discuss Meeting people's needs, Smarter regulation, Systems and Driving Improvement. We talk about what these themes mean for our strategy and the work we do.
Listen via Soundcloud or your favourite podcast provider, and subscribe to hear the latest episodes first.
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Watch our webinar recordings
We ran a series of webinars introducing the emerging strategic themes. These one-hour webinars were aimed at health and social care providers and professionals, strategic partners and trade associations.
All of the webinars are now available to watch on our YouTube channel.
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All CQC offices are closed
Please do not send post - visit our website for details on how to contact us.
Accessibility resources to help you communicate about COVID-19
Follow us on Twitter!
Keep up with our work with professionals and provider organisations in England by following us on Twitter @CQCProf.
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