The Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Ian Trenholm, has outlined what he calls a “Transitional Regulatory Approach” to be introduced by the CQC from September as inspections resume.
Writing in a blog, Ian says the new approach will be “flexible” and “iterative” and will combine the best existing methodologies with learning from the response to COVID-19. The CQC needs to move away from its recent focus on risks presented by the pandemic and return to covering broader issues, utilising all information to “present a clearer view of risk and quality.”
This will involve developing the approach introduced through the Emergency Support Framework (ESF), which provided a structured process for regular conversations with providers throughout the pandemic and used data and feedback to identify problems in real time, offer advice and support. The ESF approach can also be used to look at more of the important issues.
Monitoring will focus on safety, access and leadership, with greater emphasis on improvement cultures.
Looking further ahead, the CQC is developing a new strategy for launch in May 2021 that will aim to take a more system-led approach to regulation and see it working in new ways to meet the challenges of keeping people safe and protecting the vulnerable.
Discussions are already being held with the public, providers and stakeholders and four main themes are said to be emerging:
• Meeting people’s needs
• Promoting safe care
• Smarter regulation
• Driving and supporting improvement.
The CQC is inviting views on its strategy ahead of a full public consultation in January 2021. Read the full blog here.
