Inside CQC

Mary Cridge

Mary Cridge, the Director of Adult Social Care at the Care Quality Commission (CQC), shines a light on an ‘exceptional’ care setting, updates on the CQC’s response to winter pressures, and shares the ambitions of the CQC’s leadership team for the year ahead.

result, we’re working with Directors of Adult Social Services across England to identify care homes or home care agencies we could inspect to assess whether ‘requires improvement’ ratings can be updated. We’ll also be inspecting services which are registered and active but not rated, if the lack of a rating is a barrier to people accessing those services. Full criteria can be found on our website.

So, how will it work? We’ll be looking at our own intelligence and monitoring outcomes alongside local authority information. The decision to inspect rests with CQC and we’ll be using our existing methodology, both focused and comprehensive. Inspections will be unannounced, although local authorities may be in touch beforehand. Our reporting will be as normal; however, once we’ve given the outcome to you, you’re welcome to let your local authority know so they can start to commission with you.

Our aim is to carry out 300 of these inspections by the end of March 2023. I am delighted to share that we’re currently prioritising over 350. We’ve had many discussions with you on revisiting ‘requires improvement’ ratings – this, I hope you agree, is a good start.

Regulatory Leadership

The Regulatory Leadership team has also been busily planning our ambitions for the year ahead. We shared our early thinking in a recent webinar where we were joined by over

3,000 providers. This month we welcomed our two new Deputy Directors for Adult Social Care, Alison Murray and Amanda Partington-Todd. Below they share their motivations and ambitions.

Alison Murray, a Registered Nurse with an NHS and social care background, said, ‘I actively chose to build my career in adult social care and haven’t regretted that for a minute. I’ve had the privilege of working with and supporting amazing people. I’m particularly keen to promote the role of the nurse in adult social care.

‘I’ve been involved in dementia care for the majority of my adult life. I’m excited about the opportunities our new regulatory powers and assessment frameworks bring to improve the experiences of people who are living with dementia across health and social care.’

Amanda Partington-Todd, a Registered Social Worker who has worked in the social care sector since the age of 16, said, ‘I’m a passionate advocate for adult social care and the difference it makes to people’s lives when we get it right.

‘I’m ambitious that Regulatory Leadership sets the example for collaborative crosssector working and use our independent voice to highlight best practice, innovation and what it feels like for people to be on the receiving end of truly high-quality, personcentred and co-produced care.’

You’ll hear more from Alison and Amanda in these columns over the coming year. In the meantime, read more about the wider Regulatory Leadership team in our recent blog.

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Call to protect rights in health and care

A coalition of over 50 organisations is calling on the Government to protect in law the support of family carers across health and care settings.

A broad spectrum of organisations has come together to say ‘never again’ should people in vulnerable situations be separated from the support of their carers –partners, parents, children, siblings or friends. The organisations represent millions of people relying on health and care services across the country. The joint call also has cross-party support and, in October, the Care Minister told Parliament, ‘I do not consider the status quo acceptable, and I am on the case.’

The organisations leading the call were deeply disappointed by the Secretary of State’s comment last week that he is resistant to setting any ‘national diktats’, despite evidence that some hospitals are ignoring clear directives from NHS England Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard and Chief Nursing Officer Ruth May that carers and visitors should once again be welcomed. The Relatives & Residents Association, Rights For Residents and John’s Campaign have written to the Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, Steve Brine MP, requesting that he clarifies the Government’s position. Julia Jones, Co-Founder of John’s Campaign, said, ‘This is a chance for the Department of Health and Social Care to get its act together and legislate decisively on behalf of the people for whom it exists – patients, residents and service users – you and me.’

Over 60 MPs wrote to the (then) Secretary of State in May last year supporting the call and a cross-party group of MPs is working to take this forward: Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper, Conservative MP Tracey Crouch, Labour MP Dan Carden and Plaid Cymru Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts. The new right would give anyone who needs care access to a ‘Care Supporter’ – a relative or friend who can help them wherever they need it, such as in hospitals, care homes or GP surgeries.