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 »
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 Independent Review of the Mental Health Act 1983 (“MHA”) which was chaired by Professor Sir Simon Wessely in 2018. The Review made recommendations in relation to addressing the increase in …
Joint Committee Publishes Final Report On The Draft Mental Health Bill 2022 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 »
As we move into a less restrictive post-COVID-19 world, providers will want to be vigilant about infection, prevention and control (“IPC”) measures. The Government has announced numerous changes in the last year which greatly reduced the burden on providers when it came to IPC measures, including removing regular mandatory COVID-19 testing and facemask requirements in …
Living in a Post COVID-19 Society – What Restrictions Remain? Read More »
With a new inspection strategy, the CQC are shifting from regular routine inspections to one based on risk, underpinned by data collection. The health and social care sector, however, should be judged, in part, on service users’ experiences and the level of care they receive which is extremely difficult to capture based on data collection …
At Ridouts we are frequently seeing that the CQC is automatically adopting Notices of Proposal, seemingly ignoring, or not testing the validity of, the representations submitted by Providers. In some cases the CQC is sending out Notices of Decision months after the Notice of Proposal was issued and therefore months and months, in some cases …
Are Your Representations Against CQC Notices of Proposal Being Ignored? Read More »
The CQC has updated its statutory guidance on compliance with Regulation 18 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This reflects a change in law, as of today (1 July 2022), that requires all health and social care providers registered with the CQC to ensure their staff have received training …
An effective complaints system is a key component to ensuring openness and transparency as well as encouraging internal insight within an organisation. In the health and social care sector, this is applicable both to Providers and those that regulate them. However, over the past few years at Ridouts we have noted a dilution in the …
Receiving and acting on complaints – Could the CQC be due some self-reflection? Read More »
The adult social care (“ASC”) sector has been experiencing a staffing crisis that has only been exacerbated by the pandemic. Not enough staff has meant that many providers are unable to deliver the high quality care that service users deserve. Despite continual pleas for help, the Government appears to be out of touch with the …
Inquiry into the Government’s Pledges on the Health and Social Care Workforce Read More »
The letter to the Health and Social Care Secretary says they’ve taken this “unprecedented step” in response to daily reports from care providers regarding the serious worker shortages. UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said “Care employees have been undervalued and ignored for too long. And the escalating staffing crisis is a consequence of this. It’s …
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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