In the run up to Christmas, CQC unveiled its consultation on its next phase of regulation - http://www.cqc.org.uk/content/our-next-phase-regulation. In the spirit of Christmas, the consultation has something for everybody.
The consultation is in four parts, with different parts directed to different providers in the sector. For independent sector health and adult social care providers, Parts 1-3 of the consultation are directly relevant. However, even though Part 4 is, on the face of it, directed at NHS providers, it may still be informative for the independent sector as signalling CQC's intended direction of travel, including a greater focus on 'well-led' and the role of the 'guiding mind' of organisations suggesting increased board and senior management level scrutiny.
The introduction to the Consultation also highlights that a further consultation will follow in the Spring of 2017 focusing on the regulation of adult social care and primary medical services, and trails that future regulatory developments under consideration include:
- the possibility of introducing organisation level ratings for independent sector providers (as is currently done for NHS trusts)
- the possibility of recognising improvements which have been made, but which are insufficient to lift a service up a whole rating 'point'" (e.g. from 'Requires improvement' to 'Good'; or from 'Good' to 'Outstanding'). – This would be a welcome development as the current rating of 'Requires improvement' has a massive span being used to describe a range of service quality which includes both services which are, and are not, compliant with the Regulations.
Further details of the consultation are set out in the links below:-
1. Regulating new models of care and complex providers
2. Changes to CQC's Assessment Franework ("KLOEs")
3 Registering services for learning disabilities
4. Next phase of regulation – NHS trusts - this includes proposals for more streamlined regulation (with the avoidance of duplication) which will, no doubt, be well received. However, there are also some significant proposed enhancements to the system, with more regular, and in-depth assessments of whether trusts are 'Well-led', together with new ratings on their use of resources.
We have extensive experience assisting providers with the challenges presented in terms of partnership working and developing new models of care delivery; organisational leadership; and regulatory scrutiny and intervention. If you wish to discuss any of these issues, please contact: Vincent Buscemi, Jodie Sinclair or Carlton Sadler.