CQC to scrap ‘generic’ inspector model to fix ‘trust breakdown’

The Care Quality Commission is scrapping its “generic” inspection team model, which is unpopular with trust leaders, as it bids to recover credibility in the wake of a highly critical report on the organisation.

CQC interim CEO Kate Terroni told HSJ the new inspection team model would revert to giving trust CEOs one named inspector to raise concerns to, which has been the case in the past, in a bid to “build back trust”.

During an exclusive interview with HSJ, Ms Terroni also spoke up in support of the CQC’s controversial single-word ratings, which she said the public valued, and said she and her board colleagues must “fully own” past failures.

In a boost for the embattled regulator, Sir Jim Mackey has backed the change to the inspector team, adding the move would be a “helpful first step to rebuilding trust” with NHS leaders.

The CQC will also reverse its unpopular decision to split its inspector and assessor roles and return to having a single inspector completing “end-to-end” assessments.

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Source: HSJ, 27 August 2024