How do CQC gather their Intelligent Monitoring information

This graphic shows where the CQC will get information about you. Most of it is obvious: Complaints to CQC; whistle-blowers;  Your registration form; IG Toolkit; QOF reports; Patient surveys etc.

A basic rule of thumb is that if you have published information about yourself to the NHS, they will use that in the pre-preparation.

In addition, if anyone else has posted information about you, they will also use that under the header “People who use services”

The data in the IM report includes information from:

• Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF)
• GP Patient Survey (GPPS)
• electronic Prescribing Analysis and Costs (ePACT)
• Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)
• Information Centre Indicator Portal
• NHS Comparators

Whilst most of this is expected, it is worrying that in addition to NHS Choices the CQC believe that information from private websites will also be considered legitimate “intelligence” for an inspection.

CQC promoting a private website in its guidelines is quite extraordinary we think!

This data gathering angle has the potential for a worrying trend.

CQC will also ask local organisations to provide information, including:
• Local Healthwatch.
• Patient participation groups, where they exist.
• Local voluntary and community groups.
• Patient and carer groups.
• Community outreach focus groups.

Some local organisations have a responsibility to gather and use people’s experiences of care and we will request information they hold, for example:
• Overview and scrutiny committees.
• Quality surveillance groups.
• Local NHS complaints advocacy service.

CQC will publish further detail about the information we will request, but it is likely to include:
• Results from patient surveys and associated action plans.
• A copy of the provider’s statement of purpose.
• A summary of any complaints received in the last 12 months, any action taken and how learning was implemented.
• A summary of any serious adverse events for the last 12 months, any action taken and how learning was implemented.
• Significant event analysis.
• Locum/agency use over the last 12 months (out-of-hours services only).
• Evidence of monitoring the quality of services provided.
• Evidence of supplying urgent/emergency medicines.