Duplicated Material Found In CQC Care Home Reports

A number of care homes are to be re-inspected by the Care Quality Commission after it was revealed that advisors had duplicated material investigation reports.

An internal audit by the CQC discovered identical copy in 108 reports from inspections at adult social care services. The three individuals, none of whom were CQC inspectors, have been removed from inspection activity following the revelations.

As a result, 68 care homes will have to be re-investigated to ensure the ratings they received were fair and correct.

The remaining reports were republished because the watchdog did not consider the offending material to have affected the end result.

Most of the services involved were based in the North of England apart from one service in London.

Kate Terroni, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care at the Care Quality Commission said: “We have investigated an issue relating to duplicate material used by two experts by experience (ExE) and one specialist adviser (SpA) in a number of CQC inspection reports.

“As soon as we became aware of these issues the individuals concerned were immediately removed from inspection activity.

“Following close analysis and additional peer review, the majority of these reports have been republished without the inclusion of these quotes as they did not affect the rating of the service. There are also a number of locations where, following review, we have decided to reinspect to ensure that the public voice is fully reflected. For those reports where the specialist adviser was involved we will be re-inspecting to ensure that we can be confident in the ratings and findings. All providers affected have now been informed and updates for each location are highlighted on our website.

“We are taking all actions necessary to reduce the risk of this happening again.”