Gemma Nicholas, Author at Ridouts Solicitors

Are Your Representations Against CQC Notices of Proposal Being Ignored?

Articles & Publications / By Gemma Nicholas

At Ridouts we are frequently seeing that the CQC is automatically adopting Notices of Proposal, seemingly ignoring, or not testing the validity of, the representations submitted by Providers. In some cases the CQC is sending out Notices of Decision months after the Notice of Proposal was issued and therefore months and months, in some cases …

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The End of Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment

Articles & Publications / By Gemma Nicholas

Let’s set the scene, Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment (VCOD) in care homes came into force on 11 November 2021 and was in the process of being applied to health and wider social care settings on 1 April 2022. Then on 31 January 2022, only approximately two months after VCOD became mandatory in care …

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CQC regulation of Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment

News / By Gemma Nicholas

On 15 March 2022 the government revoked the regulations relating to Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment (VCOD). However, as VCOD has been in force and applicable to care homes since 11 November 2021, the CQC has been inspecting care homes against the VCOD regulation since that date. The CQC has released a statement on …

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How does the CQC expect practices to handle complaints?

Articles & Publications / By Gemma Nicholas

Over the last two years, many have predicted that there would be an upsurge in GP complaints, owing to the changes in working practices to cope with COVID-19. This article explores what primary medical service providers can do to strengthen their complaints processes with the aim of avoiding falling foul of Regulations 16 and 17 …

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UPDATE: Revoking of Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment

News / By Gemma Nicholas

On 31 January 2022, the Government announced that it was looking to scrap vaccinations as a condition of deployment (VCOD) in health and all social care settings, with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care stating that “it is no longer proportionate to require Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment through statute.” This …

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UPDATE: Statement on Scrapping Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment

News / By Gemma Nicholas

On 31 January 2022 the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, made a statement that “it is no longer proportionate to require Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment through statute.” Policy Review Sajid Javid acknowledges that, in December 2021, he argued that the weight of clinical evidence in favour of Vaccination …

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Dismissal and Vaccination – Allette v Scarsdale Grange Nursing Home Limited

Articles & Publications / By Gemma Nicholas

An Employment Tribunal has determined that a Care Assistant, Ms C Allette (“Allette”), was fairly dismissed from a nursing home following her refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Allette had been employed by Scarsdale Grange Nursing Home Limited (“Scarsdale Grange”) for 14 years as a Care Assistant in its 52 bedded nursing home which provides …

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New and Updated Mandatory Vaccination Guidance

News / By Gemma Nicholas

Mandatory vaccinations of workers in the wider health and social care settings From 1 April 2022 providers registered with the CQC must ensure that anyone they employ or engage to carry out direct and face-to-face CQC-regulated activities must prove that they: meet the vaccination requirements are exempt from vaccination fall within the other exceptions New …

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JCHR inquiry into care home COVID-19 visiting restrictions

News / By Gemma Nicholas

The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) will be taking evidence as part of a new inquiry into protecting human rights in care settings. On 12 January 2022 the Committee will hear from residents’ family members, representatives of campaign groups Rights for Residents, Age UK and the Relatives and Residents Association. The new inquiry will …

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Gemma Nicholas

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