Care Quality Commission

1 December 2009

Well we have just witnessed a significant few days when the Care Quality Commission has been the subject of unprecedented criticism following their announcement that “Healthcare regulators are taking action to address concerns around leadership and quality of care at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.” This was followed of course by criticism by other agencies of other hospitals.

The media has been questioning exactly what the Care Quality Commission’s role is in all of this. I think I agree with the media, the Care Quality Commission has a responsibility to ensure the health, safety and well being of people receiving care within regulated premises.

National Care Association has always maintained that the regulator should not be using their reports to take the headlines but should be working in partnership with providers to ensure a consistency of services throughout the Country.

I went to a breakfast meeting this morning organised by the regulator to announce that the latest State of Social Care report will be published sometime this week. From the few statistics that we heard I am not expecting that the headlines from the Care Quality Commission to the press and media about both social services record and about care homes will be positive.

Our experience of these reports has always been negative and in view of what has happened this last week I don’t expect this one will be much different.

The other bit of news that was announced at the breakfast was that the new standards will also be published sometime this week.