The CQC has been asked to take on the patient safety function currently carried out by NHS England following an internal review of NHS England’s functions. The review concluded that the organisation is not best placed to provide national leadership on patient safety.
Preliminary discussions have taken place between NHS England and the CQC about transferring the patient safety directorate to the CQC. NHS England is allowed to delegate its functions to other organisations.
The CQC Chair, David Prior, has previously stated that the patient safety function would be better placed with CQC as opposed to NHS England. It is believed that further discussions are due to take place this week to consider whether the transfer should take place.
