At Ridouts, we have noticed that the latest ‘hot topics’ which CQC inspectors tend to focus on during inspections are as follows: Staff recruitment records Providers are required to ensure that their staff are fit and proper persons. Staff recruitment records should be robust and include; proof of identity, a criminal record certificate where required, references …
Records are one of the main focus areas during a CQC inspection and one of the main sources of evidence that the CQC relies on when determining if a service is Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. It is therefore important that records are as accurate and detailed as they can be. In February 2023, …
The Importance Of Good Record Keeping In Your Care Business Read More »
On 19 January 2023, the Joint Committee published its final report on the draft Mental Health Bill 2022. The draft Bill was introduced following the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act 1983 (“MHA”) which was chaired by Professor Sir Simon Wessely in 2018. The Review made recommendations in relation to addressing the increase in …
Joint Committee Publishes Final Report On The Draft Mental Health Bill 2022 Read More »
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CQC introduced a risk-based inspection model and focused its inspection activity where service users were deemed to be at risk of harm. Since the introduction of this risk-based system, we have seen an overall increase in the CQC’s enforcement action. This has also been confirmed by the CQC’s Chief Executive Ian …
The CQC And Its Move Towards Imposing Conditions On Registration Read More »
At Ridouts, we are regularly contacted by providers in relation to issues that they are having with the Local Authority Safeguarding Team and Section 42 safeguarding enquiries. This article considers some of the issues that arise as a result of Local Authorities failing to understand their duties and remit under the Care Act 2014 and …
The Issue With Local Authorities And Safeguarding Concerns Read More »
In a webinar which took place on 22 June 2022, the CQC explained that clinical searches which it has developed are now being routinely used by CQC inspectors in both off-site and on-site inspections of GP Practices. The clinical searches were developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and their purpose is to assess how …
How the CQC uses clinical searches in on-site and off-site inspections Read More »
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and social care landscape has changed dramatically including in relation to the way in which the CQC regulates the sector. In May 2021, the CQC published its strategy, ‘A new strategy for the changing world of health and social care – CQC’s strategy from 2021’ which …
One year on: How is CQC’s regulatory model working in practice and what will change? Read More »
On 11 March 2022, Ofsted published the outcomes of a public consultation in relation to proposed changes to the Social Care Common Inspection Framework (“SCCIF”). The consultation ran from 2 November 2021 to 24 January 2022 and sought views from the public and those working in the sectors covered by the framework, on the way …
Changes to Ofsted’s Social Care Common Inspection Framework from 1 April 2022 Read More »
In due course, the Liberty Protection Safeguards (“LPS”), introduced under Schedule 1 to the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 (“MC(A)A 2019”) will replace the current Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (“DoLS”) set out in the Mental Capacity Act 2005. However, before this happens there are a few hurdles to cross, as detailed below. On 10 March …
An Update in Relation to the Implementation of the Liberty Protection Safeguards Read More »
As a result of the war in Ukraine, the National Cyber Security Centre (“NCSC”) has reminded all organisations in the UK to bolster their online defences, including care providers. According to an article published on the Digital Social Care website, care providers should take actionable steps to reduce the risk of cyber attacks and their …
Care providers are encouraged to check their cyber security arrangements Read More »
Ridouts is a team of specialist health and social care lawyers, providing dedicated legal advice for care homes, GP practices, children’s homes, dental practices, domiciliary and home care agencies, supported and independent living services and both private and NHS hospitals.
info@ridout-law.com • +44 (0) 207 317 0340
7-10 Chandos Street, W1G 9DQ, London
