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Care England Warns of Pitfalls in Consultation for New CQC Strategy

3Care England warns the Care Quality Commission that under its new strategy, regulation must remain rigorous and fair

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England says:

‘Care England has responded to the CQC’s strategy consultation with cautionary advice on proposals such as a risk-based inspections model and more provider-led inspections. While Care England supports provider involvement in inspections and submitting intelligence, we have always been clear that co-regulation and a purely risk-based approach are not appropriate for the social care sector. The approach should be to routinely inspect all providers and target those that have been identified as higher risk.’

Martin continued:

‘Our response to CQC’s consultation objects strongly to the announcement of fee increases before the strategy itself has been finalised. This is in effect asking providers to “buy blind” CQC’s regulatory service. Despite the trying financial times that CQC faces, to radically alter the inspection regime would be to undermine care quality and public confidence in social care and its regulation. We have therefore advised CQC to retain a rigour and a thoroughness that will amount to security and quality assurance, while trying to minimise the financial impact on already-stretched providers, for whom this presents yet another cost pressure.’

 

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