Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator for Health and Social Care providers in England. CQC inspects general practice using a new methodology since April 2014. CQC questions for nurses in general practice cover four areas: safety, effectiveness, patient care, and leadership.
The assessment framework applies to providers, local authorities and integrated care systems. Our 5 key questions and ratings (outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate) are still central to their approach.
- New Assessment Framework & how they inspect
- Key lines of enquiry for healthcare services
- Primary health services: evidence categories
- CQC inspection evidence table
Mandatory Training
The CQC will not produce a document or tell a practice what mandatory training a practice should complete. This is a decision that needs to be made by the practice based on what is needed based on role, responsibilities and patient need, and show evidence staff have completed it to ensure they abide the CQC principles and can deliver the contract inline with the regulations.
The LMC has produced a mandatory training guide which practices can review and adopt as they fit, and a line with that practice and risk assess accordingly. Please note this is a guide only and has not been endorsed by the CQC, and practice should amend to reflect practice needs and requirements.
CQC scoring process
In June 2024, Lisa Annaly, CQC’s Head of Analytic Content, describes the scoring process in our assessment model, and answers some frequently asked questions. To review the scoring masterclass video, click here .
CQC Clinical Searches webinar
The CQC delivered a webinar on clinical searches which practices may wish to review and find beneficial within the practice. A copy of CQC clinical searches webinar is on the attached link.
The CQC’s new approach
On their website the CQC say (The CQC’s new approach):
Inspectors will use professional judgement, supported by objective measures and evidence, to assess services against our five key questions:
- Are they safe?
- Are they effective?
- Are they caring?
- Are they responsive to people’s needs?
- Are they well-led?
We will rate services – these ratings will help people to compare services and to highlight where care is outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.
Our inspectors will use a standard set of key lines of enquiry (KLOEs) that directly relate to the five key questions – are they safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led? This will ensure consistency and focus on those areas that matter most.”
What to expect on an inspection
This document is essential reading and provides insight into what general practice can expect from an inspection – What to expect on a CQC inspection
CQC Mythbusters
It’s worth taking some time to check through the ‘mythbusters’ on the CQC’s website – GP mythbusters is an source to clear up some common myths about our inspections of GP services, independent doctors and clinics and out-of-hours services and share agreed guidance to best practice.
CQC Regulations
CQC has legal powers underpinned by the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This gives the regulator powers to enter a practice, impose sanctions and restrictions, and even (in extreme cases) to close the practice down immediately by revoking its registration.
What to expect
The registered manager can expect to be contacted two weeks prior to the announced inspection, usually by email. IT IS KEY THAT THE RELEVANT CONTACTS AND REGISTERED MANAGER DETAILS ARE KEPT UP TO DATE WITH CQC. This communication will detail all the information the CQC require beforehand.
Key documents shared by the CQC
The latest publication from the Care Quality Commission, “Driving Improvement”. Case Studies from 10 GP Practices”, 7 of which are from Midlands & East and demonstrate where significant improvements have been made.