Care Quality Commission
Health
Stephen Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 24 January 2012, Official Report, column 194W, on the Care Quality Commission, whether the Care Quality Commission conducted an analysis of regulation and regulators' experience in dealing with the specialist versus generic inspector role referred to in its 9 December 2009 board meeting minutes; and if he will place in the Library a copy of any such analysis.
Simon Burns (Minister of State (Health), Health; Chelmsford, Conservative)
The following information has been provided by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The CQC conducted a high level assessment examining the pros and cons of a ‘specialist inspector’ versus ‘generic inspector supported by specialists’ field force model drawing on lessons learnt from work with the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts (Monitor) and the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) as well as discussions with CQC staff, this included examining what ‘specialist’ means in the context of regulation. It also looked at which approach benefits the efficient escalation of risk; quality assurances processes; and making use of clinical input.
This assessment was presented to the CQC Board on
Given the scope of the changes, they were subject to a full 90 day consultation with staff and unions. They came into force in May 2010.