Managers of care organisations are under even more pressure with the introduction of the new CQC regulatory framework, at a time when the industry is already struggling with the aftereffects of the pandemic and the continuing issues with recruitment and loss of key staff from the industry.
The CQC’s new framework introduces the new quality statements which will replace the key lines of enquiry. Designed to be succinct statements which are the commitments that providers, commissioners and system leaders should live up to, there are quality statements relevant to each of the CQC’s key questions and these will apply to all CQC regulated organisations. In addition to the quality statements, there are up to six evidence category types within each quality statement.
How will evidence be gathered?
Instead of concentrating on formal inspections or reacting to information received about a service as it currently does, the CQC will be taking a much more proactive approach.
It intends to now gather evidence in a number of ways, with particular focus on people’s experience of the services provided. It will also ask providers to upload evidence relating to each of the quality statements to its online portal on a regular basis.
The CQC recognises that some information can only be gathered on-site through inspection. Therefore there will still be visits from inspectors but a lot of information can be gathered from service users, the providers and other people and organisations in other ways.
The CQC’s current intention is to gather information relating to a provider across all the evidence categories within a two-year period, according to a schedule that is yet to be published; however, if it receives any concerns about a service then this may trigger an action to collect evidence.
What will happen to formal CQC assessments?
The CQC has previously concentrated on carrying out inspections and formal assessments of a service based on concerns that it might have received or on the current rating of a provider.
Under the new framework, it will instead use evidence gathered or collected at any time to determine when a formal assessment is required. The CQC may, for example, ask for feedback on people’s experiences of the services on a regular basis in order to help determine when and whether an investigation is required.
What will happen to CQC ratings?
The overall description of ratings will remain the same – outstanding, good, requires improvement, inadequate. To reach this overall rating though, each individual quality statement will be scored, with a score of 1 to 4 available:
4 = Evidence shows an exceptional standard of care
3 = Evidence shows a good standard of care
2 = Evidence shows shortfalls in the standard of care
1 = Evidence shows significant shortfalls in the standard of care
The scores for each quality statement then contribute to an overall score for the key question, and the rating for each key question.
An important point to note is that the CQC intends to review ratings for each provider on a more regular basis in the future and therefore a rating may potentially change relatively frequently compared to the current arrangements. In addition, the regulator intends to make the individual scores for each quality statement public.
This poses a risk to providers and emphasises the importance of maintaining sufficient evidence records since a fall in rating can have real consequences, not only in terms of regulatory supervision, but also in terms of retaining and attracting service users. Staff morale may also be affected, with a subsequent impact on recruitment and retention of valuable staff.
What type of evidence will I need to gather?
The CQC will release information about what types of information your organisation will need to gather for each of the quality statements; this will vary according to the type of service provider you are. Some of the evidence a care home provider may need to collect will be slightly different from that of a home care provider, for example.
How can Be Outstanding help me gather and store my evidence?
McClarrons Care Network partner, Be Outstanding’s care quality software is designed to make storage of your evidence simple so that you can provide it to the CQC and other auditors when needed.
The cloud-based software can be used on a phone, tablet or computer; it is NHS DSP toolkit compliant and will enable you to store your evidence under each relevant quality statement of the CQC’s new regulatory framework.
In addition, Be Outstanding’s leading research into Outstanding practice is included, helping provide guidance on themes rated as Outstanding practice.
What if I manage more than one registered setting?
For organisations with more than one registered setting, Be Outstanding’s software will enable your head office compliance teams to view each separate registered setting and share universal evidence immediately with each of the settings, for example, policy documents and updates. You will also be able to carry out gap analysis for individual services to help provide support if needed.
How can I find out more about Be Outstanding’s software?
To find out more, visit www.be-outstanding.co.uk or contact Chief Operating Officer, Claire Artley, on 07789 557289 or at claire@be-outstanding.co.uk.
How can I find out more about the CQC’s new quality statements and evidence?
Further information about the new quality statements and evidence categories can be found here – Key questions and quality statements – Care Quality Commission (cqc.org.uk) and Evidence categories – Care Quality Commission (cqc.org.uk).
Author: Claire Artley, Chief Operating Officer
Tel: 07789 557289
Email: claire@be-outstanding.co.uk
Website: www.be-outstanding.co.uk
