The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has not ruled out the introduction of a chief inspector for primary care.
Released today (18 April 2013), the CQC strategy document said a primary and integrated care chief inspector would “look at people’s experiences as they move between different services, for example older people with more than one condition.”
The CQC are already planning to appoint a chief inspector of hospitals and a chief inspector of social care and support.
Meanwhile, named managers and service leaders will have to “commit to meeting CQC’s standards and will be tested on their ability to do so.”
In launching its plans for the next three years, the CQC said bigger, more expert inspection teams will be introduced.
There will also be a more thorough test for organisations applying to provide care services.
The ‘ofsted-style’ ratings for services will be published by the CQC to help the public “easily find and understand its reports on care services.”
CQC chief executive David Behan said; “People have a right to expect safe, effective, compassionate, high quality care. CQC plays a vital role in making sure that care services meet those expectations.
“We recognise that quality care cannot be achieved by inspection and regulation alone but we will set a bar below which no provider must fall and a rating which will encourage and drive improvement.”
However, many of the changes will only be rolled out to GP practices and other sectors in 2014/15.
The full strategy is available on the CQC website.
