Nythan Smith, Author at Ridouts Solicitors

The CQC’s position on the use of restraint in learning disability hospitals

A report published on 22 October 2020 focuses on the use of restrictive practices and restraint in specialist hospitals which care for people with learning disabilities and/or autism. The report is critical of both providers who deliver care to these individuals and of the commissioners of care who fail to properly intervene prior to people’s …

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The CQC’s Draft Strategy for 2021 and beyond

News / By Nythan Smith

On 30 September 2020 the CQC published its draft strategy on how it proposes to regulate the health and social care sector from 2021 and beyond. Note some key takeaways from this draft document below: The CQC intends to rely much more on data over inspections which will direct the CQC in terms of action …

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Flu vaccine offered to social care workers as part of the biggest package of flu vaccinations ever

News / By Nythan Smith

The Government implore social care workers alongside their NHS colleagues to take the flu vaccine to protect themselves, the people that they care for and their colleagues. The flu vaccine is offered free of charge to frontline social care workers from a GP or pharmacy which marks an improvement in access to the vaccine. Last …

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Will the advent of enhanced restrictions to visits to care homes delay CQC’s return to physical inspections?

News / By Nythan Smith

Following the Government’s announcement of more restrictions in order to try and manage increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases, questions have been raised about how likely the measures will be to impact upon the CQC’s return to “crossing the threshold” to physically inspect health and social care providers. The short answer is that we don’t know …

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Will CQC cross the threshold post-COVID-19? As published in Caring Times September 2020

Articles & Publications / By Nythan Smith

The CQC’s regulatory regime has historically centred around a schedule of inspections of providers to assure itself of the quality of care offered. It seems apparent that following the decision to suspend inspections in March 2020 that the CQC will be looking to move away from its historic model of inspections for inspections’ sake. Its …

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The COVID-19 Winter Plan: Headlines for the adult social care sector

News / By Nythan Smith

As the pandemic crisis threatens to overwhelm the sector again the Government has released its Winter Plan to help prepare the country for a second wave. Nythan Smith has reflected on this document and highlights the below headlines that will be useful for adult social care providers: £546m additional funding for the Infection Control fund …

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The challenge of isolating people in care homes with COVID-19

News / By Nythan Smith

As the pandemic continues the Government’s changes to guidance also develops. There has been specific focus on how people in care settings will be treated when there is a case of COVID-19 and Nadra Ahmed, the Chair of the National Care Association, has highlighted the difficulty that some providers will face in effectively isolating some …

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CQC sets out its stall for the monitoring of adult social care providers

News / By Nythan Smith

In the CQC’s board meeting on 16 September 2020 the CQC set out its stall for monitoring activity within the adult social care sector. Whilst all proposals are subject to a formal consultation it seems likely that the position that is to be adopted is likely to be in place for the medium to longer …

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Increase in confirmed Coronavirus cases amongst care home staff

News / By Nythan Smith

The Government wrote to care homes and local authority partners on 11 September 2020 confirming that there has been an increase in the number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in care homes. The rise in numbers seems to be affecting staff rather than residents, but given the proximity within the settings it might follow that …

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How will the care sector fill the void left by EU care workers when UK leaves the European Union?

News / By Nythan Smith

The care sector is reliant on EU workers, in some parts of the country more than others, and it is likely that a number of those without a properly regularised immigration status could see an impact on the sector’s ability to provide adequate levels of staffing to residents and patients. As we head to the …

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Nythan Smith

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