Care Quality Commission

Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and adult social care services in England.

As the regulator, they make sure that the care that people receive meets essential standards of quality and safety and encourage ongoing improvements by those who provide or commission care.

The new registration system for health and adult social care will make sure that people can expect services to meet essential standards of quality and safety that respect their dignity and protect their rights. The new system is focused on outcomes rather than systems and processes, and places the views and experiences of people who use services at its center.

They will be continuously monitoring compliance with essential standards as part of a new, more dynamic, responsive and robust system of regulation. Assessors and inspectors will frequently review all available information and intelligence they hold about a provider. They will seek information from patients and public representative groups, and from organizations such as other regulators and the National Patient Safety Agency.

If they have concerns that a provider is not meeting essential standards of quality and safety, they will act quickly, working closely with commissioners and others, and will use their new enforcement powers if necessary.

What it means for us

There are 28 standards which the practice has to evidence that it complies with, covering a whole range of topics such as; respecting & involving people, complaints, infection control, staffing, premises and more.

Every two years the practice will have a CQC inspection (more frequently if they have reason for concern). These can be unannounced visits. During a visit the inspectors will be in the practice all day, watching how it works, talking to staff and patients. They may wish to talk to a member of the PPG if that is possible as well.

Involving people who use services

The public, carers, local groups and care staff provide the CQC with important information about their experiences of care services.

If you would like to tell the CQC about your experiences of the care services provided at The Vale Medical Group, you can do so by visiting the Care Quality Commission. You can access their website or phone the national helpline on: 03000 616161