CQC’s Next Wave of Regulation and Enforcement

In March 2021, CQC publicised its intention, as part of a statement of Organisational Priorities, to increase its inspection activity across healthcare.

Three of the areas of note are CQC’s intentions to:

• Return to inspect and rate NHS trusts and independent healthcare services that are rated inadequate or requires improvement or where new risks have come to light.
• Develop plans to review ratings for all hospital providers to make sure they are still appropriate based upon CQC’s latest assessment of risk.
• Carry out some core service with well-led inspections of mental health trusts and independent mental health providers.

To read the full March board paper, please visit this link.

How can we support your organisation?

• Bevan Brittan’s expanding team of CQC regulatory specialists has significant experience of working with leading organisations in both the NHS and independent sectors as part of their preparedness and/or response to CQC regulation.
• We are legal and regulatory specialists in physical and mental health, advising on operational and strategic issues together with clinical and corporate governance.
• We know our stuff. Our teams act at the sharp end in courts and tribunals for our clients when their services are under intense scrutiny, getting to know issues from ward to Board, and working with employees from HCAs to senior executives. 
• We are both analytical and practical, focusing on data and human factors; advising on service-user safety, team cultures, and clinical best practice.

Well-Led Reviews

We work with Boards in their preparation for CQC Well-Led inspections, including Board workshops, mock inspections and interviews with senior executives and Board members. We partner with clinical specialists when creating a team that is right for you, receiving positive feedback demonstrating how we have supported organisations to raise their game.

Challenging Inspection Reports

We use our specialist experience and legal knowledge to support organisations who believe they have been unfairly treated by CQC.  We work collaboratively with providers to test the quality of CQC’s evidence and challenge the factual accuracy of draft inspections and the reliability of ratings.  We have helped providers at both ends of the spectrum, whether threatened with special measures or striving to be awarded an Outstanding rating.

Regulatory Enforcement

We advise and represent NHS and independent sector organisations faced with civil and criminal enforcement action by CQC. This includes challenging decisions to cancel or limit a registration, tribunal appeals, health and safety enforcement and duty of candour prosecutions.  We help our clients achieve the best outcomes possible and minimise adverse impacts on their services and their reputations.

To find out how we can help you, please contact:

• Stuart Marchant
• Carlton Sadler
• Hannah Taylor
• Siwan Griffiths