Deploying CQC’s new regulatory approach

This year marks a new chapter for the regulator as healthcare providers across England prepare for the CQC’s new Single Assessment Framework (SAF). Since November 2023, CQC has been rolling out new SAF regions regionally, with assessments in the North and Midlands, the latest regions to be assessed under the new framework.

focus of evaluation

During the rollout period, CQC will use a preliminary priority set for each service type. However, the CQC will now define a national set of priority quality statements for each type of service, which will be reviewed on an annual basis.

These quality statements are typically assessed at each assessment, but are described as being flexible depending on the situation.

Based on the results obtained from profiling a service, CQC determines:

• If there is a risk to people using the service
• Where service could have been improved

CQC confirms that a provider’s first assessment under the new framework will generate a score based on the provider’s existing assessment. Note that if a provider has not been previously inspected, the initial assessment will typically cover all 34 quality statements.

Evaluation frequency

Regarding the frequency of assessments for each sector, CQC will draw on lessons learned from the feedback it has received from healthcare providers assessed under the new framework, as well as its view of the regulatory risks and issues affecting the health and care system. The CQC will then decide on the sequence of planned provider assessments based on the level of risk. They plan to publish a detailed schedule of planned assessments by July 2024.

Register a new activity

From 27 February 2024, CQC will use a new assessment framework to access applications and a new approach to register new activities or services (this will also apply to changes to existing provider registrations). applicable).

We understand that new providers applying for registration with CQC will be assessed using questions aligned with the quality statement under the new assessment framework.

New provider portal

Between now and March 2024, the CQC will use new digital tools, including a new provider portal, to change the way providers interact with the regulator. This portal is used by providers when filing legal notices and completing some registration activities.

CQC has begun inviting existing portal users to the new portal and plans to invite all existing users by the end of February 2024.

If you have received an invitation to join the new portal, CQC recommends providers sign up now without delay. Currently, only invited people can join the new portal. However, from early March 2024, any provider will be able to register and set up an account on the new portal.

CQC’s digital offer for providers

Providers can look forward to new tools that facilitate faster, easier and more streamlined ways to share information with CQC.

• Clearer online forms: General Questions, Mental Health Complaints, Second Opinion Designated Physician (SOAD) Requests, and Registration Cancellations.
• Email and smart links: Submit evidence for factual accuracy checks and enforcement actions.

Prepare for these changes

• Please ensure that all contact details that CQC holds for your organization are correct (you will need to sign up to the new portal using the email address that CQC has on record for you)
• Introducing our new Provider Portal.
• Sign up to CQC’s new portal as soon as you receive your invitation
• If you haven’t received an invitation to the new portal, please sign up as soon as possible starting in early March 2024.
• Continue to participate in CQC’s Call for Feedback and share your experiences

Evaluation of integrated care systems

CQC plans to begin evaluating the ICS in the spring after completing two pilot evaluations. They are currently seeking feedback on how health and social care providers should use his ICS assessment reports and what they should focus on in their assessment reports. You can share your feedback using this survey.

Our regulatory team has extensive experience supporting providers with CQC issues. Please contact our team.

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