Councils have kept up the high quality of their social care services for adults in the past year, the Care Quality Commission said today (25 November).
Outcomes for local people who use services continued to improve in 2009-10 in key areas such as choice and control, dignity and respect, and health and emotional well-being.
Of the 152 councils responsible for adult social care services in England, 95% (145) were assessed as performing well or excellently – the same proportion as the previous year (when there were 148 councils). However, the number performing excellently has increased by five to 37.
Seven authorities were assessed as “adequate”, and CQC said they needed to improve their performance in all outcome areas. For the seventh year running, no councils were rated “poor”.
CQC chief executive Cynthia Bower said: “About 1.75 million people across England rely on the care arranged for them by their council. The large majority of councils provide good standards of care, whether they run the services themselves or commission them from the private or voluntary sectors. But a few need to improve considerably before they can say they are providing good services for local people.
“Our experience is that good performance is the result of strong leadership and commitment by elected councillors and service managers, working together with a skilled and dedicated workforce.
“They encourage people to be actively involved in shaping their own care packages, and they develop and commission the services that meet people’s individual needs.
“The best-performing councils work closely with health agencies to deliver joined-up care, with joint commissioning and monitoring of services becoming more common. This year partnership working was found to be a key strength in half of councils and an area for improvement in a third.”
The system of performance assessment that has operated since 2002 is changing. From the current year, 2010-11, the councils themselves will take more responsibility for driving and monitoring improvement locally, in line with the Government’s vision for the future of social care.
CQC is assisting in the design of a new system with the Department of Health, the Local Government Group and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS).
Ms Bower said: “Councils have achieved improvement year-on-year since 2002. Now the challenge for them, as we move to a new approach, is to continue to perform at this level and to strive to improve even further. The new system will include ways of focusing on the few councils that were assessed as ‘adequate’. We anticipate this will involve an element of peer assessment by other councils.”
Each council sets the level of need that makes a person eligible to receive funding towards their care. There are four levels of eligibility criteria: ‘critical’, ‘substantial’, ‘moderate’ and ‘low’. In 2009-10 one council raised its eligibility criteria and two lowered theirs. Of the 152 councils, three (2%) set their criteria at critical, 107 (70%) at substantial, 37 (24%) at moderate and five (3%) at low.
Key areas of the 2009-10 (April 2009 to March 2010) assessment were:
Choice and control. Councils should help people to take control of their care support by providing clear information and advice on the care options and funding available, helping them to assess their needs, and providing a broad range of support services. Two more councils are performing excellently in this respect, taking the total to 28, and the number judged to be performing well has gone up from 88 to 102. One council was assessed as poor.
Dignity and respect. Councils should have effective “safeguarding” procedures to co-ordinate the response to cases of abuse or people being at risk of abuse, and they should ensure that people’s dignity and privacy are respected in care services. The number of councils judged to be adequate decreased from 45 to 24, while the number performing well or excellently increased from 101 to 125. But the number of councils performing poorly in this area increased from two to three. Concerns reported to councils under the adult safeguarding system increased by nearly a third, to a total of 103,000 referrals. CQC said this rise was largely the result of an increasing awareness of safeguarding through public information campaigns and closer working between councils and health agencies.
Health and emotional well-being. Councils should provide people with personalised advice, information and support to improve their health and well-being and help them to live independently, with the option of individual budgets and local services that meet a range of needs. The number of councils performing well or excellently in this area increased from 136 in 2008-09 to 148 in 2009-10.
CQC’s report, Performance judgements for adult social services, can be found on its website (from Thursday 25 November) at: /guidanceforprofessionals/councils/annualassessments/annualperformanceassessment2009/10.cfm
Thursday 25 November 2010
Tuesday 9 November 2010
Adult social care services have improved but the market must respond to meet future needs, says CQC
The overview report has been compiled using data on council commissioning patterns, national minimum standards and registration data.
CQC’s analysis is restricted to the regulated adult social care market. This includes care homes, home care (domiciliary) care services, nursing agencies and shared lives schemes. These are schemes that pay a family to accomodate an isolated or under-supported older or disabled person. Shared lives schemes are also used as day support and respite care.
Adult social care services have improved significantly since 2008 but further growth in the market is required to meet future needs, according to a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report published today.
The national analysis of the adult social care market examines capacity, quality and commissioning and has been developed using technical data and discussions with leaders within the sector.
An assessment of the market since 2004, the report is based on the CQC’s responsibilities under the now defunct Care Standards Act (2000), giving a final definitive report on evidence gathered under this legislation.
This data shows that this year, 83 percent of care homes, home care services, nursing agencies and shared lives schemes were rated good or excellent compared to 69percent in 2008.
Other findings include:
-There is stability in provision in the adult social care market but further growth will be needed to meet future needs. Overall, the number of services has increased. Residential care home numbers have fallen but nursing home numbers and home care services have increased. The rise in nursing home provision reflects an increase in the number of people who may have been cared for in hospital but are now living in nursing homes.
-It also reflects that people with complex needs are living longer. Demographic forces mean an increase in the number of services will be required if future demand is to be met. For example, according to research, the number of older disabled people is expected to rise by 108 percent by 2041. The challenge is for providers and commissioners to work together to further develop the market to anticipate future long term care needs.
-People are increasingly being supported to live in their homes. Home care services are increasing. In some parts of the country, such as London, significantly more services are geared towards providing care to people in their homes rather than in residential care. Self-directed support, such as direct payments, is enabling people to design their own home care in new ways. To make sure people can continue to be supported to live independently and in their own homes in the future, NHS and council commissioners need to be able to develop local markets.
-Year-on-year councils are commissioning better care homes and home care services. Comparisons with the quality of care arranged by councils from 2008 and 2009 shows a growing improvement in the numbers of services rated good or excellent. However, there remain considerable regional variations within commissioning.
Data contained in the briefing are reported on the cusp of significant economic change and local markets may experience turbulence in the future, the report adds. For example, fewer publicly funded care home places may put pressure on services. However, the national picture of stability in terms of numbers and quality may disguise significant local and regional variations. For example, in London there are fewer care home places available for the over-65s, including places for those with dementia. However, London also has the highest percentage of people living in homes rated good or excellent.
CQC chief executive Cynthia Bower said: ‘We’re greatly encouraged to see the improvement in quality of adult social care and the growth in levels of provision.
‘However, we acknowledge there remain pockets of poor practice. Where we have concerns about quality we will not hesitate to act swiftly, using our tougher enforcement powers.
‘The pressures of the current economic climate mean it is particularly important for providers and councils to work together to develop local care markets and anticipate future long-term care needs.
‘Policy makers should also ensure future social care strategies encourage capacity building for commissioners to develop markets, which will require innovation in the light of economic and budgetary constraints.’
CQC has introduced a new tougher system of regulation based on registration under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. This brings together all the sections of the health and adult social care sector, which are required to meet the essential standards of safety and quality to be registered. Adult social care providers were registered under this system on 1 October.
CQC’s analysis is restricted to the regulated adult social care market. This includes care homes, home care (domiciliary) care services, nursing agencies and shared lives schemes. These are schemes that pay a family to accomodate an isolated or under-supported older or disabled person. Shared lives schemes are also used as day support and respite care.
Adult social care services have improved significantly since 2008 but further growth in the market is required to meet future needs, according to a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report published today.
The national analysis of the adult social care market examines capacity, quality and commissioning and has been developed using technical data and discussions with leaders within the sector.
An assessment of the market since 2004, the report is based on the CQC’s responsibilities under the now defunct Care Standards Act (2000), giving a final definitive report on evidence gathered under this legislation.
This data shows that this year, 83 percent of care homes, home care services, nursing agencies and shared lives schemes were rated good or excellent compared to 69percent in 2008.
Other findings include:
-There is stability in provision in the adult social care market but further growth will be needed to meet future needs. Overall, the number of services has increased. Residential care home numbers have fallen but nursing home numbers and home care services have increased. The rise in nursing home provision reflects an increase in the number of people who may have been cared for in hospital but are now living in nursing homes.
-It also reflects that people with complex needs are living longer. Demographic forces mean an increase in the number of services will be required if future demand is to be met. For example, according to research, the number of older disabled people is expected to rise by 108 percent by 2041. The challenge is for providers and commissioners to work together to further develop the market to anticipate future long term care needs.
-People are increasingly being supported to live in their homes. Home care services are increasing. In some parts of the country, such as London, significantly more services are geared towards providing care to people in their homes rather than in residential care. Self-directed support, such as direct payments, is enabling people to design their own home care in new ways. To make sure people can continue to be supported to live independently and in their own homes in the future, NHS and council commissioners need to be able to develop local markets.
-Year-on-year councils are commissioning better care homes and home care services. Comparisons with the quality of care arranged by councils from 2008 and 2009 shows a growing improvement in the numbers of services rated good or excellent. However, there remain considerable regional variations within commissioning.
Data contained in the briefing are reported on the cusp of significant economic change and local markets may experience turbulence in the future, the report adds. For example, fewer publicly funded care home places may put pressure on services. However, the national picture of stability in terms of numbers and quality may disguise significant local and regional variations. For example, in London there are fewer care home places available for the over-65s, including places for those with dementia. However, London also has the highest percentage of people living in homes rated good or excellent.
CQC chief executive Cynthia Bower said: ‘We’re greatly encouraged to see the improvement in quality of adult social care and the growth in levels of provision.
‘However, we acknowledge there remain pockets of poor practice. Where we have concerns about quality we will not hesitate to act swiftly, using our tougher enforcement powers.
‘The pressures of the current economic climate mean it is particularly important for providers and councils to work together to develop local care markets and anticipate future long-term care needs.
‘Policy makers should also ensure future social care strategies encourage capacity building for commissioners to develop markets, which will require innovation in the light of economic and budgetary constraints.’
CQC has introduced a new tougher system of regulation based on registration under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. This brings together all the sections of the health and adult social care sector, which are required to meet the essential standards of safety and quality to be registered. Adult social care providers were registered under this system on 1 October.
Friday 5 November 2010
CQC says essential standards of care are being met at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said today (Friday) that essential standards of safety and quality at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust are being met. Since 1 April 2010, all NHS care providers have been required by law to be registered with CQC and must show that they are meeting the essential standards. Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust was registered on 1 April.
This latest review of the trust was triggered by concerns about patient care. This resulted in unannounced visits on 22 September 2010 at two locations - the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan and Wrightington Hospital.
“Following a meeting in July that was part of our review of the trust, I authorised an unannounced visit which took into account concerns raised by local people,” says Sue McMillan, CQC Regional Director for the North West. “I was keen that we assess the trust against three specific standards: care and welfare of people who use services, assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision, and complaints.
“The assessment team reported that the trust was meeting all three standards.”
Inspectors visited three wards at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary: Ince Ward (Cardiology), Swinley Ward (Surgery) and the Acute Stroke Unit (Shevington), and Wards 5 and 6 at Wrightington Hospital. This was to directly observe care, treatment and support, talk with patients about their current experience of the hospital and speak with the staff who work on these wards. CQC concluded that patients receive appropriate care as directed within individual care pathways.
In addition, CQC reviewed the trust’s systems for assessing and monitoring the quality of services it provides. The trust demonstrated it had an appropriate framework of governance in place that gathers, records and evaluates information about the quality and safety of care, treatment, support and outcomes of clinical services. CQC also considered relevant information it holds about the trust received from various other sources.
CQC also reviewed the management of complaints and concluded that the trust has procedures, followed in practice, for receiving and managing complaints which are monitored and reviewed as required. Recent changes to these procedures have been implemented. For example, the Medical Director now meets with all complainants, should their complaint not be resolved within three months of instigation. Although staff clearly understood the trust’s complaints procedure and management of complaints, they do not receive ongoing training in complaints handling.
While CQC was content with the cleanliness and tidiness of the wards it did note that the Stroke Unit at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary was more disorganised, with a generally cluttered environment. It acknowledged that staff were very busy and at times looked stressed. CQC also noted that this ward has recently undergone organisational changes that have resulted in two ward areas being joined and it is still in a period of transition.
A total of 14 patients and 13 staff across both locations were interviewed. Without exception CQC was informed during discussions with patients, of high levels of satisfaction with the care received. Most staff felt happy with the level and frequency of training available and newly qualified staff felt effectively supported by other colleagues or Ward Managers.
“Following this unannounced visit I am satisfied that the trust is meeting essential standards. I am also reassured that the Chief Executive and the senior management team have an up to date assessment of the day to day running of the wards visited,” says Sue McMillan. “And while there are a few actions the trust has to take in respect of record keeping, tidiness on one ward, and regular complaints management training, we did not deem these sufficiently serious that they warranted compliance action. However, we will continue to monitor progress. Finally, I would like to thank the patients, visitors and staff who provided us with vital evidence during our visit.”
Full report: http://www.cqc.org.uk/publications.cfm?fde_id=16473
This latest review of the trust was triggered by concerns about patient care. This resulted in unannounced visits on 22 September 2010 at two locations - the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan and Wrightington Hospital.
“Following a meeting in July that was part of our review of the trust, I authorised an unannounced visit which took into account concerns raised by local people,” says Sue McMillan, CQC Regional Director for the North West. “I was keen that we assess the trust against three specific standards: care and welfare of people who use services, assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision, and complaints.
“The assessment team reported that the trust was meeting all three standards.”
Inspectors visited three wards at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary: Ince Ward (Cardiology), Swinley Ward (Surgery) and the Acute Stroke Unit (Shevington), and Wards 5 and 6 at Wrightington Hospital. This was to directly observe care, treatment and support, talk with patients about their current experience of the hospital and speak with the staff who work on these wards. CQC concluded that patients receive appropriate care as directed within individual care pathways.
In addition, CQC reviewed the trust’s systems for assessing and monitoring the quality of services it provides. The trust demonstrated it had an appropriate framework of governance in place that gathers, records and evaluates information about the quality and safety of care, treatment, support and outcomes of clinical services. CQC also considered relevant information it holds about the trust received from various other sources.
CQC also reviewed the management of complaints and concluded that the trust has procedures, followed in practice, for receiving and managing complaints which are monitored and reviewed as required. Recent changes to these procedures have been implemented. For example, the Medical Director now meets with all complainants, should their complaint not be resolved within three months of instigation. Although staff clearly understood the trust’s complaints procedure and management of complaints, they do not receive ongoing training in complaints handling.
While CQC was content with the cleanliness and tidiness of the wards it did note that the Stroke Unit at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary was more disorganised, with a generally cluttered environment. It acknowledged that staff were very busy and at times looked stressed. CQC also noted that this ward has recently undergone organisational changes that have resulted in two ward areas being joined and it is still in a period of transition.
A total of 14 patients and 13 staff across both locations were interviewed. Without exception CQC was informed during discussions with patients, of high levels of satisfaction with the care received. Most staff felt happy with the level and frequency of training available and newly qualified staff felt effectively supported by other colleagues or Ward Managers.
“Following this unannounced visit I am satisfied that the trust is meeting essential standards. I am also reassured that the Chief Executive and the senior management team have an up to date assessment of the day to day running of the wards visited,” says Sue McMillan. “And while there are a few actions the trust has to take in respect of record keeping, tidiness on one ward, and regular complaints management training, we did not deem these sufficiently serious that they warranted compliance action. However, we will continue to monitor progress. Finally, I would like to thank the patients, visitors and staff who provided us with vital evidence during our visit.”
Full report: http://www.cqc.org.uk/publications.cfm?fde_id=16473
Friday 29 October 2010
Regulator recognises progress but calls for further improvement from Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust
The Care Quality Commission has told Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust that it must continue to make improvements to meet minimum standards of quality and safety.
In a report published today CQC concludes that services at Stafford Hospital are compliant with five of the 16 essential standards. The report identifies 11 standards where improvement is required.
The Commission says the trust has made considerable progress in the last two years. In some areas its concerns remain only because the improvements still need more time to bed in and for CQC to see the full benefit of those changes.
CQC has given the trust's managers 28 days to provide details of action they will take to achieve compliance with the standards where improvement is needed.
Inspectors will return to the trust to review whether the necessary improvements have been made and to decide whether further action is required.
The CQC team will also work closely with West Midlands Strategic Health Authority, South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust and Monitor to help the trust deliver long term improvements.
Today's report evaluates Stafford Hospital's overall performance against all 16 essential standards of quality and safety. By law, providers of health care services have a legal responsibility to make sure they are meeting all the standards.
Inspectors found that the hospital was fully compliant with standards relating to patient consent, meals, partnership working, keeping people who use services safe from harm and assessing and monitoring services.
But they also identified concerns around management of medicines, staff supervision and appraisals and handling of complaints.
Andrea Gordon, Regional Director of CQC in the West Midlands, said that her staff would continue to keep the trust under close review.
“I am satisfied that hospital is moving in the right direction, but the trust must not relax its efforts to improve. We believe that with the right support the management team at the trust has the capability to make the necessary improvements.
“The trust needs to take action to address the issues we have identified. The law says these are the standards that everyone should be able to expect when they receive care. Providers have a duty to ensure they are compliant – or face the possibility of enforcement action.
“Management of medicines is one of the areas that gives us most concern because there are inconsistencies on the wards and the trust’s own audits point to significant problems which must be addressed. Staff training has improved, but arrangements for regular supervision are still not satisfactory and need urgent attention.
“Handling of complaints is another area where we expect to see significant improvements. The trust’s complaints system is not effective because staff involved in complaints are not fully trained and investigations are not completed as quickly as they should be.
“People who depend on these services need to know that they are safe. If we had an immediate concern, we would step in quickly to protect the public.
"In the meantime we will follow up and monitor the improvements identified in this report, and we will take firm action to ensure that Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust comes up to standard."
-ends-
Notes to editors:
Today's report identified concerns with the following standards
• Management of medicines
• Supporting workers
• Complaints
• Respecting and involving people who use services
• Care and welfare of people who use services
• Safeguarding people who use services from abuse
• Safety and suitability of premises
• Safety, availability and suitability of equipment
• Requirements relating to workers
• Staffing
• Records.
The report finds that Mid Staffordshire is compliant with the following standards:
• Managing risks around patient consent
• Providing adequate meals
• Strengthening its approach to partnership working
• Keeping people who use services safe from harm
• Assessing and monitoring services.
• Download our latest Review of compliance on Mid Staffordshire: http://www.cqc.org.uk/publications.cfm?fde_id=16457
In a report published today CQC concludes that services at Stafford Hospital are compliant with five of the 16 essential standards. The report identifies 11 standards where improvement is required.
The Commission says the trust has made considerable progress in the last two years. In some areas its concerns remain only because the improvements still need more time to bed in and for CQC to see the full benefit of those changes.
CQC has given the trust's managers 28 days to provide details of action they will take to achieve compliance with the standards where improvement is needed.
Inspectors will return to the trust to review whether the necessary improvements have been made and to decide whether further action is required.
The CQC team will also work closely with West Midlands Strategic Health Authority, South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust and Monitor to help the trust deliver long term improvements.
Today's report evaluates Stafford Hospital's overall performance against all 16 essential standards of quality and safety. By law, providers of health care services have a legal responsibility to make sure they are meeting all the standards.
Inspectors found that the hospital was fully compliant with standards relating to patient consent, meals, partnership working, keeping people who use services safe from harm and assessing and monitoring services.
But they also identified concerns around management of medicines, staff supervision and appraisals and handling of complaints.
Andrea Gordon, Regional Director of CQC in the West Midlands, said that her staff would continue to keep the trust under close review.
“I am satisfied that hospital is moving in the right direction, but the trust must not relax its efforts to improve. We believe that with the right support the management team at the trust has the capability to make the necessary improvements.
“The trust needs to take action to address the issues we have identified. The law says these are the standards that everyone should be able to expect when they receive care. Providers have a duty to ensure they are compliant – or face the possibility of enforcement action.
“Management of medicines is one of the areas that gives us most concern because there are inconsistencies on the wards and the trust’s own audits point to significant problems which must be addressed. Staff training has improved, but arrangements for regular supervision are still not satisfactory and need urgent attention.
“Handling of complaints is another area where we expect to see significant improvements. The trust’s complaints system is not effective because staff involved in complaints are not fully trained and investigations are not completed as quickly as they should be.
“People who depend on these services need to know that they are safe. If we had an immediate concern, we would step in quickly to protect the public.
"In the meantime we will follow up and monitor the improvements identified in this report, and we will take firm action to ensure that Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust comes up to standard."
-ends-
Notes to editors:
Today's report identified concerns with the following standards
• Management of medicines
• Supporting workers
• Complaints
• Respecting and involving people who use services
• Care and welfare of people who use services
• Safeguarding people who use services from abuse
• Safety and suitability of premises
• Safety, availability and suitability of equipment
• Requirements relating to workers
• Staffing
• Records.
The report finds that Mid Staffordshire is compliant with the following standards:
• Managing risks around patient consent
• Providing adequate meals
• Strengthening its approach to partnership working
• Keeping people who use services safe from harm
• Assessing and monitoring services.
• Download our latest Review of compliance on Mid Staffordshire: http://www.cqc.org.uk/publications.cfm?fde_id=16457
Monday 25 October 2010
New consultation on our registration fees scheme
21 October 2010
We have today launched a new consultation on the fees we charge to providers of health and adult social care services.
The consultation sets out our proposals to simplify our fees to a single scheme for all providers. This scheme will cover our work both in registering providers and monitoring their compliance with essential standards of quality and safety. We hope to launch the scheme in April 2011.
This consultation will run until January next year.
• Read our full press release on the launch of the consultation: http://www.cqc.org.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases.cfm?cit_id=36785&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usecache=false
• Download our consultation documents and find out how to take part:
• http://www.cqc.org.uk/yourviews/consultations/registrationfeesscheme.cfm
We have today launched a new consultation on the fees we charge to providers of health and adult social care services.
The consultation sets out our proposals to simplify our fees to a single scheme for all providers. This scheme will cover our work both in registering providers and monitoring their compliance with essential standards of quality and safety. We hope to launch the scheme in April 2011.
This consultation will run until January next year.
• Read our full press release on the launch of the consultation: http://www.cqc.org.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases.cfm?cit_id=36785&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usecache=false
• Download our consultation documents and find out how to take part:
• http://www.cqc.org.uk/yourviews/consultations/registrationfeesscheme.cfm
Thursday 14 October 2010
More post offices for dental providers’ CRB checks
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has worked with the Post Office to increase the number of post offices available to process Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) disclosures for providers of dental services.
The way health services are regulated is changing and as part of that change, providers of dental services need to be registered with the CQC by April next year.
The new system of registration will bring all the different elements of the health and adult social services sectors under a single system, which requires providers to meet new essential standards of quality and safety.
This regulation, as directed by the Health and Social Care Act 2008, means all providers of dental services and their registered managers now require an enhanced CRB check if they don’t already have one.
Many dental providers with an NHS contract should already have an enhanced CRB disclosure, approved by the primary care trust they have a contract with. It is estimated that more than 90 percent of the dental industry has an NHS contract. In these cases, no new CRB disclosure will be needed.
However, providers without a criminal records check now need to present proof of identification at a designated post office in England to obtain their mandatory check.
This can currently be carried out at 27 crown post offices where this service is offered but from 1 November, this network will be expanded to 100 post offices able to offer this service.
CQC director, Linda Hutchinson, said: ‘We have been working closely with The Post Office for some time to increase the number of branches available to dental providers obtaining a CRB check.
‘The majority of providers of NHS dental services are already required to have a CRB check countersigned by their local primary care trust and they just need to declare this on their application form to CQC. These dentists will not need to obtain new checks.
‘Obtaining a CRB check is without doubt in the best interests of patients and their safety.
‘CQC appreciates that applying for registration can be challenging as it’s the first time the dental industry has been subject to this form of regulation. We have been working with the dental sector for some time and have just completed a series of local events where we talked to local providers and listened and responded to concerns and queries.
For more information and a full list of post offices go to www.cqc.org.uk/crb.
The way health services are regulated is changing and as part of that change, providers of dental services need to be registered with the CQC by April next year.
The new system of registration will bring all the different elements of the health and adult social services sectors under a single system, which requires providers to meet new essential standards of quality and safety.
This regulation, as directed by the Health and Social Care Act 2008, means all providers of dental services and their registered managers now require an enhanced CRB check if they don’t already have one.
Many dental providers with an NHS contract should already have an enhanced CRB disclosure, approved by the primary care trust they have a contract with. It is estimated that more than 90 percent of the dental industry has an NHS contract. In these cases, no new CRB disclosure will be needed.
However, providers without a criminal records check now need to present proof of identification at a designated post office in England to obtain their mandatory check.
This can currently be carried out at 27 crown post offices where this service is offered but from 1 November, this network will be expanded to 100 post offices able to offer this service.
CQC director, Linda Hutchinson, said: ‘We have been working closely with The Post Office for some time to increase the number of branches available to dental providers obtaining a CRB check.
‘The majority of providers of NHS dental services are already required to have a CRB check countersigned by their local primary care trust and they just need to declare this on their application form to CQC. These dentists will not need to obtain new checks.
‘Obtaining a CRB check is without doubt in the best interests of patients and their safety.
‘CQC appreciates that applying for registration can be challenging as it’s the first time the dental industry has been subject to this form of regulation. We have been working with the dental sector for some time and have just completed a series of local events where we talked to local providers and listened and responded to concerns and queries.
For more information and a full list of post offices go to www.cqc.org.uk/crb.
Significant improvements at The Heart of England
We have lifted two of the three conditions imposed on The Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust.
The trust’s latest compliance report, released today, shows it has addressed our concerns relating to:
safeguarding people who use services
staffing
We inspected The Heart of England Trust on two separate, unannounced occasions. During these visits, we conducted interviews with staff and patients, and reviewed documentary evidence. The results show that the trust:
provides staff with training around safeguarding
encourages staff to make contact with external agencies to increase their understanding of safeguarding
documents safeguarding issues across the trust
The Heart of England now has until September to meet the third condition, which relates to supporting staff.
The trust’s latest compliance report, released today, shows it has addressed our concerns relating to:
safeguarding people who use services
staffing
We inspected The Heart of England Trust on two separate, unannounced occasions. During these visits, we conducted interviews with staff and patients, and reviewed documentary evidence. The results show that the trust:
provides staff with training around safeguarding
encourages staff to make contact with external agencies to increase their understanding of safeguarding
documents safeguarding issues across the trust
The Heart of England now has until September to meet the third condition, which relates to supporting staff.
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