Ridouts have observed that the CQC have intensified the aggressive presentation of inspections and inspection reports over recent months. This is particularly noticeable in the CQC attitude to primary care and GP practice interactions. Unsurprisingly, but, most unfortunately many of those engaged in front line inspection lack any medical qualification or experience, and, when that …
The CQC makes judgements about the quality of the services it inspects by following its own processes. Some questions whether the regulator is justified in making such judgements. A recent case of note against the CQC, which is presently going through the courts, succeeded in part. It found that there was a case to answer …
The CQC is changing its approach to how it regulates GP practices. My colleague, Gemma Nicholas, recently wrote an article outlining the CQC’s new strategy and regulatory approach and what this might mean for practices. The CQC has released further detail on how it intends to assess providers within its new regulatory model; including its …
How The CQC Will Score Practices Under Its New Regulatory Approach Read More »
The CQC is working to fulfil its strategy that was launched last year. Under the new strategy the regulator plans to continually monitor practices and also shorten inspection reports. So what does this all mean for practices? What to expect and when The CQC’s current strategy sets out its aims, aspirations and outcomes from 2021 …
Understanding the CQC’s strategy and regulatory approach Read More »
As has now been widely publicised, the CQC has abandoned its regular schedule of inspection for all health and social care services, including GP practices. Inspections will now be triggered by perceptions of risk, related to any notifications received by the regulator or any third party concerns or staff whistleblowing. As has been set out …
In a webinar which took place on 22 June 2022, the CQC explained that clinical searches which it has developed are now being routinely used by CQC inspectors in both off-site and on-site inspections of GP Practices. The clinical searches were developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and their purpose is to assess how …
How the CQC uses clinical searches in on-site and off-site inspections Read More »
A recent poll by GP Online found that four in five GP partners said that their practice had been unable to recruit a locum doctor when they needed one within the past six months. Locum GPs have become increasingly important in recent years given the current workforce crisis and the survey also found that nearly …
How staffing levels can affect your CQC inspection rating Read More »
Earlier this year the British Social Attitudes (“BSA”) survey found that public satisfaction with GP services had hit its lowest point since the survey first began in 1983. Satisfaction with GP services dropped to 65% in 2017 – down seven percentage points compared with the previous year, and the biggest one-year change since the survey …
Low Patient satisfaction could lead to increase in complaints and CQC inspections Read More »
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (“RPS”) has urged the Government to consider a law change regarding HRT prescriptions. Currently, many types of hormone-replacement therapy (“HRT”) are in high demand and the short supply is not meeting this, leaving some women who rely on this medicine to have reported to be suicidal. The RPS’s proposal would aim …
Pharmacists urge Government to amend law to ease HRT supply Read More »
On 14 April 2022, the Government introduced new ‘stepping down’ rules which apply to NHS hospitals, GP surgeries and emergency departments. As part of these rules, in England, there is no longer a requirement for patients to socially distance in waiting rooms. This is demonstrative of the Government’s ‘Living with COVID-19’ approach that they are …
Patients in waiting rooms in England are no longer required to socially distance 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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