Formal CQC process for managing requests for a re-inspection
We have recently received the following response from a member of your team with reference to improving ratings following an inspection:-
“…… providers generally cannot request a re-inspection. If a provider did ask us to re-inspect their service, we would likely consider their request and any specific factors around this, but there is no formal process for this as we generally focus our resources on services where there is risk.”
As at June 2024, there appear to be some 9,158 providers with some level of poor rating, with 7,876 dating back to between 2019 and 2023 and 642 dated 2018 or older, who are effectively barred from improving their rating even for relatively minor infractions where documentary evidence of improvement could be sufficient, without requiring a site visit.
It is of concern that there is no formal process to manage a provider request for reinspection.
Furthermore there is a contradiction in policy where resources are allocated to “where there is risk” but inexplicably excludes thousands of providers already identified as high risk.
FOI REQUEST: MANAGING REQUESTS FOR RE-INSPECTION:-
1. If the process exists, please provide details together with reasons why this is not published on the CQC web site
2. If the process does not exist, please provide details of when and how this will be rectified
CQC Response
There is no formal process for providers to request an assessment to change their rating, nor are there plans to introduce such a process.
Editor's Comment
Regardless of the improvements made, there is no pathway to remove the stigma of a negative rating, which must be displayed prominently on web sites, and can remain unchanged for up to 10 years.
At the date of this request, there are almost 8,000 Providers stuck with negative ratings which are up to 5 years out of date.
In effect, these Providers are trapped in a system where a negative rating becomes a permanent stain, almost impossible to remove.
Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/formal_cqc_process_for_managing#outgoing-1734527
