CQC have recently reported that a number of providers have been contacted by people posing as CQC inspectors in an effort to gain access to services or information.
We recommend that before you speak to anyone:
All genuine CQC inspectors carry ID badges that include:
Note from the Editor:
Whislt all inspectors carry badges, it is difficult to check whether the ID is genuine or not as most of us don’t know what an original CQC ID badge looks like. So it is best to call CQC on 03000 616161 and check the inspector's details before you allow them onto your premises or give them any information.
If your organisation has been given a rating by the CQC, you are required to display the poster prominently in your main area and on your web site. Failure to do so will result in a fine and earn you a black mark against any future inspection. The guidance details the following points:
Want to see the full document? CLICK HERE to go to the CQC announcement. |
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:
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: Some local organisations have a responsibility to gather and use people’s experiences of care and we will request information they hold, for example: CQC will publish further detail about the information we will request, but it is likely to include: |
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The acronym KLOE, stands for Key Lines of Enquiry.
The starting point for the inspection are the five key questions – are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?
A 'KLOE' is basically a set of 'key' questions the CQC will look at under each of five headings to reach a conclusion as to how your service should be rated.
If the CQC have concerns about your practice's compliance with the standards they will revisit. These type of inspection are carried out at any time in response to identified concerns e.g. patient complaints; serious failings or concerns higlighted in the initial visit.
Betweem April to 30 September 2014 CQC were trialling their new inspection model. The inspection reports that have been published based on these inspection have not got a star rating on any of the domains. Whilst we are not sure if CQC are going to update these reports, we have been advised by practices that they are being contacted by CQC in orfer to arrange a re-visit.
CQC are also scheduling re-visits based on their current Intelligent Monitoring publication where a practice has been indentified as having 'elevated risk' or 'risk' profile.
Editors Comment:
Our estimate is that a practice is spending anything from £1,000 to £7,000+ in time, effort and money just preparing for a CQC inspection and reinspection.