Health
CQC Under Fire: Major Review Highlights Serious Failures in Health Regulation
An independent review has raised alarm bells about the Care Quality Commission, or CQC, revealing some serious issues within the organization. According to the findings, the CQC is struggling to effectively judge the quality of health and care services.
The Government has announced they will be taking quick action to rebuild public trust in how health and social care is regulated. This includes increasing oversight of the CQC to ensure it does its job better.
The interim report, led by Dr Penny Dash from the North West London Integrated Care Board, pointed out that inspections are still at levels much lower than they were before the pandemic. It highlighted a lack of clinical expertise among inspectors and inconsistent assessments, as well as technical problems with the regulator’s IT systems.
It’s reported that around 1 in 5 locations the CQC can inspect have never even received a rating. The review shared alarming stories of inspectors visiting hospitals who admitted to never having been in one before, along with another inspector of a care home who had never met a person with dementia.
Dr Dash commented on the urgent need for significant reform within the CQC, stressing the importance of having a robust regulator that can support a strong NHS and social care system.
In response to these findings, Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting expressed his shock at the organization’s failings, stating that the CQC is not fulfilling its purpose. He emphasized the need for immediate action and transparency, reassuring patients that their care is being properly assessed.
Kate Terroni, the CQC’s interim chief executive, acknowledged the review’s findings and said they align with areas the CQC has been working to improve. She mentioned plans to increase the number of inspections and enhance engagement with both the public and care providers.
The Department of Health and Social Care has said they will monitor the CQC’s progress throughout the summer and release a full report in the autumn, as the regulator works to regain public confidence.
