Care England, the leading voice for adult social care providers
in England, has expressed disappointment in the Care Quality
Commission's (CQC) latest approach to restoring trust in its
regulatory operations.
Reacting to the announcement Professor Martin Green OBE,
Chief Executive of Care England, commented:
“Dr. Penny Dash released the interim review into the CQC's
operational effectiveness in July. Yet, three months later, the
sector remains in the dark about how the CQC intends to address
its deep-rooted issues. Today's announcement offers more of the
same – promises of transparency, quicker assessments, and clearer
reports – yet fails to deliver the tangible actions providers
desperately need.
The absence of measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
and defined timelines in this plan points to a continued lack of
accountability. Providers need concrete benchmarks, not vague
assertions of ‘immediate changes' and ‘pilots' that provide no
certainty for improvement. Without a clear, actionable roadmap,
trust cannot be rebuilt.”
In its announcement, the CQC confirmed several changes, including
the recruitment of a new Chief Executive and the appointment of
three Chief Inspectors to enhance leadership. Additionally, the
CQC is reviewing its single assessment framework in collaboration
with Professor Sir Mike Richards and the Care Provider
Alliance.
The CQC also announced several pilot projects, including efforts
to improve relationships with providers, starting with NHS trusts
and later expanding to other sectors aiming to refine management
oversight and assessment processes. These initiatives are set to
conclude early next year, with implementation thereafter.
To increase the number of monthly assessments, the CQC plans to:
- Score at quality statement and rating at key question level.
- Use evidence categories to reach a quality statement score
- Use professional judgement to ensure accuracy
- Streamline processes using improved technology for factual
accuracy checks and provider registration
- Provide updates to the provider portal in the coming weeks.
Martin Green Continued:
"Since the interim review, we've waited for meaningful
action, but are once again faced with vague immeasurable
commitments. The sector cannot continue to operate in this
regulatory vacuum. Providers were expecting a strategic overhaul
of CQC processes, but instead been given ambiguous changes
without clarity on how inspections and regulatory decisions will
improve.
It is vital that the CQC recognises that if a care provider
were to present an action plan without measurable evidence of
change, they would be rated inadequate. We need to see that same
level of accountability applied to the CQC. The ongoing delays in
registration and inspection processes create a ripple effect that
affects the entire health and care ecosystem. We had hoped for
concrete plans from the CQC by this stage, yet we are left
disappointed. Without such, the sector remains in a state of
uncertainty.
The time for promises has passed. Providers urgently need
concrete actions, specific deadlines, and real accountability
from the CQC. The future of adult social care depends on
it."
Care England immediately calls on the CQC to outline specific
KPIs and timelines to a clear understanding of when improvements
to assessments, registration processes, and reporting will be
delivered.
Martin Green Concluded:
"The CQC needs to practice what they preach. To use their own
words, care providers demand
an effective, responsive,
and well-led action-plan - yet find
themselves to be failed once again, and paying for a service they
are not receiving."
