Established in April 2009, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates tens of thousands of health and social care services across England. As a risk-based regulator, its role is to protect service users and assure the public about the quality and safety of registered services.
At Gordons Partnership, our specialist Health and Social Care Provider Team is led by Neil Grant, who has more than 30 years’ experience advising in this sector.
Our clients include:
“An in depth understanding of CQC’s jurisdiction and methodologies is essential in order to advise providers effectively. At the same time, it is critical to put in place a strategy and plan at the outset, linked to the evidence and an informed assessment of risk. Each case is unique and has to be judged on its own merits. Our approach is based on cooperation, respect and collaboration but we are always assertive in defending our clients’ interests.”
From Our Partner, Neil Grant
CQC takes a risk-based approach to inspections. Inspections may be triggered by internal evidence gathering, whistleblowing, safeguarding concerns, or information suggesting that a service’s rating should be reviewed. CQC is also inspecting services that have older ratings.
Under Regulation 2 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, Personal Care includes assistance with activities such as eating, washing, dressing, toileting, oral care and maintaining skin, hair and nails. It also includes prompting and supervision where a person cannot make decisions about these activities themselves.
Schedule 1 of the Regulations defines a number of regulated activities including:
Operating regulated activities without the appropriate CQC registration is an offence under section 10 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
CQC defines practising privileges as a system allowing doctors to practise in hospitals without being directly employed by them. This allows practitioners to operate independently while benefiting from the provider’s registration.
If you require advice on CQC registration, inspections, compliance or enforcement action, please contact Neil Grant, Lucy Bowker or Samantha Burges.
