Introduction The Care Quality Commission (CQC) can visit us at any time so this guidance should help you and your team prepare for any future inspections. It has been developed with subject area experts, team leaders, clinicians and line managers from across the Trust and with reference to the CQC standards. The contents of this handbook will provide support in preparing you to have positive conversations with the inspectors, as well as providing a reflective tool across the Trust to ensure that our practice is qualityassured and evidence-based. The handbook will also assist you throughout the CQC preparation process. For example, providing information on what to expect during the inspection, how to showcase the high-quality work you do, what to think about after the inspection and how to make any improvements sustainable.
Key leaders during the preparation Our Trust’s Non-Executive Directors will play a key role in the preparation by visiting staff and helping with well-led assessments.
If you have concerns or questions about anything in your area, please speak to your manager. Our Quality Assurance & Compliance Team, in the Quality Governance Department, is also available to support you with your preparations. You can contact them by emailing cqchelp@candi.nhs.uk
Our Executive Directors will ensure delivery against six core workstreams and will also be visiting teams across the Trust. The Divisional Directors and Clinical Directors for each division will ensure CQC preparation becomes a priority for their teams. We all have a role to play in this inspection. The Trust leadership at all levels will be available to provide support wherever needed. Regular CQC updates will also be published in the weekly bulletin, via all staff emails, and on the intranet for your information. However, it is you, the frontline teams, who are key to our success in this inspection. The CQC is here to see what we do every day, and you are the experts. 4
