The Ridout Report

Provider Profiles were introduced on the CQC website without fanfare towards the end of last year. At first glance, it might appear beneficial that the Profiles can be easily understood, with a green tick denoting compliance, a grey cross non-compliance and a red cross, enforcement action. However, on careful examination, there are genuine concerns about …

The CQC Provider Profile – a fairer system than the old star ratings? Read More »

Over the last 12 months there has been a notable increase in the number of visits being made by the UK Border Agency (“UKBA”) to health and social care services around the country. A number of recent news reports suggest that this increased scrutiny could be attributed to improved intelligence obtained by the UKBA indicating …

Employing staff from overseas Read More »

Single registration, enabling a provider to be registered in relation to multiple services, was trumpeted as a more proportionate and sensible way of regulating the sector when the Health and Social Care Bill (now Act) was passing through Parliament. However, providers who fall into this category are at considerable risk of a new form urgent …

A little known CQC enforcement power with devastating consequences for providers Read More »

The number of Warning Notices being served on providers by CQC has increased significantly over recent months.  CQC has indicated that it will publish a press release summarising each Warning Notice unless the provider can persuade CQC not to do so. The window for making written representations to CQC about the Warning Notice is five …

Warning Notices and Making Representations Read More »

Current Safeguarding Framework The current adult safeguarding framework does not include consolidated legislation which defines safeguarding duties and processes. As a result, real uncertainties exist as to who is responsible when safeguarding alerts are raised. The Department of Health’s No Secrets document, published in 2000, provides guidance to local agencies which have a responsibility to …

Adult Safeguarding – Taking Control Read More »

Last month the Ridout Report looked at compliance reports and how to challenge them. Where CQC make adverse findings in compliance reviews, there are range of enforcement options open to CQC. This month, the Ridout Report looks at those options and how providers can challenge them. CQC has published guidance which sets out how it …

Enforcement: How to Avoid it and How to Respond if it Comes your Way. Read More »

On 19 December 2012, CQC published a press release indicating that it had issued a fixed penalty notice on a provider for failing to comply with the medication regulations.  On the face of it this may not seem that significant a development but on closer scrutiny it may amount to something of a watershed moment …

CQC fining providers – the shape of things to come? Read More »