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 five unions are involved: UNISON PCS Prospect Royal College of Nursing Unite The five unions have been balloting workers who inspect, monitor and regulate hospitals, care providers, GP practices, dental …
Whilst many students or trainees have a vague idea of what it means to be professionally regulated, they will only truly understand the full extent of their professional obligations when they join the register and face the stark reality of potentially receiving a patient complaint or being brought before their regulator. This article aims to …
Professional Discipline: What Does It Actually Mean To Be ‘Professionally Regulated’? Read More »
During my time as a Solicitor at Ridouts I have been approached regularly by health and social care providers who are overwhelmed, frustrated or simply confused about complex safeguarding investigations. Processes to report and manage allegations and then fully investigate them are in place in order to protect vulnerable people. There are few that would …
Safeguarding In Adult Social Care: Harnessing A Runaway Train Read More »
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 the relocation of patients from unsuitable hospital accommodation to the more homely and appropriate placement of those people in care homes which are much more suited to their chronic illnesses …
NHS Funding For Care Home Placements To Relieve Bed Pressures Read More »
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 forthcoming winter. It is aimed at care providers, local authorities, integrated care systems, carers and social care staff. The purpose of which is to provide clarity into both the current …
Many health and social care providers decide to engage with CQC in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration. They accept the ratings awarded to them by CQC and they accept CQC’s findings and don’t challenge them as they are not confident that their efforts will lead to successfully changing CQC’s position. This lack of challenge …
Should Providers Accept Or Challenge CQC’s Findings? Read More »
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of having robust data flows in the adult social care (“ASC”) sector. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health and Social Care (“DHSC”) had no comprehensive national source of data from providers on capacity, workforce status or numbers of people in receipt of care. The Government, …
Many health and social care Providers will have had some form of contact with the Coroner’s court, whether it be simply assisting the Coroner with the provision of documentation related to the death of someone who was using or had used their services or attending an Inquest hearing. By their very nature inquests are inquisitorial …
Death of a service user? What Providers should consider if called to an Inquest Read More »
On 22 September 2022 Therese Coffey, the newly appointed Health and Social Care Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, will set out the Government’s new NHS winter plan (“The Plan”). The Department of Health and Social Care (“DHSC”) Plan will aim to ensure patients can receive easier access to NHS and social care this winter and …
Some pharmacies in the UK have been criticised for informing patients using multiple different drugs that they will no longer have blister pack boxes, otherwise known as dosette boxes. The dosette boxes are a form of multi-compartment compliance aids (“MCCAs”) and are delivered to patients addresses. Why are pharmacies removing them? Some pharmacies are removing …
Pharmacies criticised over amending pill boxes affecting the elderly Read More »
Ridouts is a team of specialist health and social care lawyers, providing dedicated legal advice for care homes, GP practices, children’s homes, dental practices, domiciliary and home care agencies, supported and independent living services and both private and NHS hospitals.
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