With thanks to Karen Johnson – Head of Quality Assurance at Fulcrum Care Consulting – for sharing valuable insight with Care Sector Hub…
The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) revised approach emphasises a shift towards a more comprehensive and ongoing evaluation process. No longer reliant solely on periodic inspections, the CQC now utilises a multifaceted approach, incorporating diverse sources of information, including real-time feedback and experiences of service users. This change in methodology necessitates a proactive approach from care homes to align with these expectations.
Below I advise a strategic and adaptable response to these changes, equipping care homes with the tools needed to thrive under the new framework and ensure success in the dynamic landscape of care provision.
CQC changes
The new CQC framework strategy aims to bring all health and social care providers under one single framework to provide more consistency across services. The main changes that come as a result of the update include a quality statement replacing key lines of enquiry, ratings with a new scoring element, amends to evidence categories, and frequency of inspections.
However, the framework will retain certain aspects of the previous structure, ensuring continuity in key areas, such as existing legislation and the foundational five questions that form the basis of assessments. While there may be slight variations in the inspection processes, the fundamental elements of providing quality care, maintaining transparency, and ensuring robust governance will persist.
The changes should be viewed as an encouraging opportunity for care providers to elevate its standard of care, gain a deeper understanding of its workforce and identify areas for improvement. Embracing change enables care providers to navigate the transition with confidence and resilience, and proactively address any gaps in its current practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Focus on Person-Centred Care
In the pursuit of elevating care standards in 2024, an area that is crucial to focus attention is the implementation of person-centred care. Beyond meeting inspection requirements, embracing a person-centred approach is a strategic move to help deliver an elevated quality of care. Additionally, it also opens avenues for collaboration with external stakeholders to craft personalised plans. Speaking to family members and loved ones to create bespoke care plans, shows a level of commitment and dedication to delivering the best possible care.
Actively seeking input from external stakeholders in the care journey, not only allows care homes to fine-tune care plans to the unique needs of each resident but also serves to enlist their support and garner valuable feedback. This collaborative effort not only improves the overall care experience but also aligns with the ethos of the new CQC framework, where external stakeholders will be invited to share their insights about a particular service. By involving them in the care planning process, care homes position themselves in a favourable situation to receive regular feedback, creating a continuous feedback loop that allows for proactive adjustments before formal inspections.
Proactive compliance and risk management
Staying abreast of regulatory changes is fundamental for compliance and effective risk management within care homes. Proactively addressing compliance issues not only ensures a seamless transition under the new CQC framework but also lays the groundwork for a resilient and responsive care environment.
A key strategy to this is the regular conduct of internal reviews, including audits and collecting feedback. These will serve as a comprehensive self-assessment mechanism, allowing care homes to systematically identify and evaluate potential risks. By scrutinising operational processes, documentation, and adherence to protocols, care providers can pinpoint areas of improvement, enact preventative measures, and mitigate potential risks before they escalate — promoting safety, infection control, and resident welfare.
Any issue you can identify is one less that the CQC may find during an inspection. Recognising and addressing issues before they cause an impact on people’s care or become a cause for concern for external parties, allows for proactive resolution and strengthens your position in compliance and care quality.
As the CQC increases its focus on continuous assessments and evidence gathered from many different sources, adjusting to these changes not only guarantees adherence to regulations but also demonstrates a dedication to delivering outstanding care for both residents and caregivers. Embrace the new framework as a chance to enhance the quality of care provision and establish fresh benchmarks of excellence within the care sector.
Fulcrum Care Consulting specialises in helping care homes to deliver exceptional care. With support and guidance about CQC regulations, management issues and operational matters, care home’s can expect to receive great CQC assessments that will attract potential residents. With specialist consultants and industry professionals on hand, Fulcrum provides strategic guidance and customised solutions to address the unique challenges faced by care environments. Their comprehensive services encompass governance and compliance, crisis management, CQC challenges and mentoring.
