The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have announced they will be resuming inspections from next week.
Given the easing of restrictions across the country, the CQC have reviewed and updated their regulatory approach and from 1st February they will inspect where:
- there is evidence that people are at risk of harm. This applies to all health and social care services, including those where inspections were previously postponed except in cases where we had evidence of risk to life
- they can support increasing capacity across the system, particularly in adult social care
- a focus on the urgent and emergency care system will help the CQC understand the pressures, where local or national support is needed, and share good practice to drive improvement.
Approach always under review
In recognition of the changing pressures health and social care services have found themselves working under since the start of the pandemic, the CQC say they have kept their regulatory approach under review.
They say their priority has always been to support services to ensure people receive safe care and add that they want to ensure their approach is also appropriate and proportionate.
Some inspection of some services postponed
In December, to support the acceleration of the vaccination booster programme, the CQC postponed inspections of some services.
They also prioritised activity to help create more capacity in adult social care.
Ongoing monitoring of services
Alongside their risk-based activity the CQC will undertake ongoing monitoring of services.
Through these inspections, they will be able to identify where they may need to take further action to ensure people are receiving safe care and offer support to providers.
To find about more about a health or care provider, visit the CQC Website.
Image: Luke Jones under CC BY 2.0
