The CQC has announced that their 12 new fundamental standards will not come into force in October this year as previously planned, and they are now intended to come into force in April 2015.
CQC states that their fundamental standards are used to “underpin our assessments on whether care has fallen below acceptable standards.”
The new fundamental standards will replace the current 16 essential standards, with the reason for the change being improved clarity and communication between service-users and providers.
The twelve new fundamental standards are as follows:
- Care and treatment must be appropriate and reflect service users’ needs and preferences.
- Service users must be treated with dignity and respect.
- Care and treatment must only be provided with consent.
- Care and treatment must be provided in a safe way.
- Service users must be protected from abuse and improper treatment.
- Service users’ nutritional and hydration needs must be met.
- All premises and equipment used must be clean, secure, suitable and used properly.
- Complaints must be appropriately investigated and appropriate action taken in response.
- Systems and processes must be established to ensure compliance with the fundamental standards.
- Sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, competent, skilled and experienced staff must be deployed.
- Persons employed must be of good character, have the necessary qualifications, skills and experience, and be able to perform the work for which they are employed.
- Registered persons must be open and transparent with service users about their care and treatment (the duty of candour).
In its announcement CQC also addressed the new duty of candour and the fit and proper person requirement, which are expected to come into force in October 2014 for NHS bodies. The duty of candour requires NHS bodies to be open with service users regarding care and treatment. The duty of candour and the fit and proper person requirements are expected to be extended to all providers from April 2015.
A detailed analysis of the new duty of candour can be found HERE.
CQC’s full announcement and statement can be viewed on the CQC website.
