
Land Developer Gives First Refusal Rights to Care Providers
With a bed shortage in the health and social care sector, Flinton Blythe Land Agency has come up with a unique solution to creating more

CQC staff voting for industrial action over pay
On Friday 3 February 2023, staff at the Care Quality Commission (“CQC”) started to vote on whether to launch industrial action over pay. The following

The Church is Calling for Social Care Funding
The Archbishop of Canterbury claimed social care was the most pressing issue facing the UK in his New Year message. This was followed by the

Check Your Trees! Care Home Fined £400,000 For Injuries Resulting From Fallen Tree
The Health and Safety Executive (“HSE”) has successfully prosecuted Bupa Care Homes (CFHCare) (“Bupa”) under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc.

CQC Prosecution – Largest fine issued in connection with maternity services
As all Providers will be acutely aware, the CQC has the power to criminally prosecute under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities)

CQC to Adjust Regulatory Activity until end of March 2023 to Ease Pressures in Health and Social Care
The CQC have announced some changes to their approach to inspection in adult social care in response to the pressures that the sector is currently

Professional Discipline: Dual Regulation – Double The Benefits, Double The Headache?
Healthcare practitioners that have undertaken additional accredited training may consider whether to become dual regulated. By dual regulated, we mean a healthcare practitioner becoming a

Ofsted’s Chief Inspector Speaks on How it Uses Research
On 18 January Amanda Spielman, Ofsted’s Chief iInspector, spoke at the annual lecture about how Ofsted and the education sector uses research. In this speech,

Joint Committee Publishes Final Report On The Draft Mental Health Bill 2022
On 19 January 2023, the Joint Committee published its final report on the draft Mental Health Bill 2022. The draft Bill was introduced following the

NHS Funding For Care Home Placements To Relieve Bed Pressures
It was very welcome news that a Government summit had recommended implementation of a policy to provide extra “band aid” funding (£200m initially) to assist

Ofsted Complaints Policy Under Review
Ofsted admitted during an invite-only meeting with the Confederation of School Trusts (CST) that its complaint policy is not working and will be reviewed. In

CQC publish results from the Maternity survey 2022
The Care Quality Commission (“CQC”) has published the results of the 2022 maternity survey which analysed the birthing experiences for pregnant people who gave birth

Care Sector Response to Government Plans to Block Beds for Discharged A&E Patients
My colleague recently wrote an article on the Government’s plans to block-beds in care homes in order to ease pressures on the NHS. Unsurprisingly, the

The UK Government publishes its policy paper outlining support for social care this winter
On 9 January 2023 the Department of Health and Social Care (“DHSC”) published its policy paper relating to the Government’s current priorities ahead of this

NHS set to buy care beds to make space in hospitals
Thousands of NHS patients in England will be moved into care homes as part of the government’s plan to ease the unprecedented pressure on hospitals.