If you are in receipt of this blog, then you may be interested to learn about CQC Standards & Our Solutions

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care services in England, responsible for ensuring that care services meet essential standards of quality and safety. To help providers meet these standards, the CQC has established a set of Fundamental Standards, which are the basic requirements below which care must never fall. These standards are the foundation of safe and effective care, and all service providers must comply with them.

In this blog, we’ll explore the CQC’s Fundamental Standards, providing examples of what they mean in practice and how they help ensure quality care for all but first let us explain the services which are available for new healthcare organisations who are thinking of registering with CQC: 

For New Healthcare Providers

1. CQC Registration: Imagine having a service for CQC Registration which can take away the stress of completing your applications so that you can focus on the things which matters most to you!  

2. CQC Business Plan: Imagine a service where we are writing an industry specific business plan; and in fact reinforcing your business idea/goals along with you. It surely will help your confidence in your business and satisfy CQC along the way, wouldn’t it?

3. CQC Policy Pack:  Imagine a service where you are assured of quality, compliance and evidence based assurance through CQC policies which will meet and satisfy CQC regulatory requirements. 

4. CQC Interview Preparation:  Imagine preparing for your registered manager interview from the database of questions CQC have asked our previous 600+ clients. Life would be easy, wouldn’t it? 

5. CQC FVS:  CQC will seek assurance in the form of a financial statement signed by an Qualified Accountants. This will apply to new providers submitting a new registration application. We have accountants on our panel who specialise in FVS based on the Financial Forecast driven from Business Plans. 

6. CQC Site Visit:  Imagine a service where you could get all the if’s & but’s answered and to establish whether your site is suitable as a CQC Location under Regulation 15 or not? 

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The Fundamental Standards

1. Person-Centered Care

• What It Means: Every person receiving care must have their needs, preferences, and choices respected and taken into account. Care should be tailored to the individual’s specific requirements.
• Example: A care home resident prefers to bathe in the evening rather than in the morning. The care home staff should accommodate this preference in the resident’s care plan, ensuring they receive their bath at the time that suits them best.

2. Dignity and Respect

• What It Means: People must be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their circumstances. This includes respecting their privacy, promoting their autonomy, and treating them with compassion.
• Example: A patient undergoing a medical examination should be provided with a private room and a gown to protect their privacy and dignity during the procedure.

3. Consent

• What It Means: Care and treatment must only be provided with the consent of the person receiving it, except in situations where they are unable to give consent and it is in their best interests.
• Example: Before administering a vaccine, healthcare professionals must explain the procedure to the patient and obtain their informed consent. If the patient is unable to consent due to cognitive impairment, the decision should be made following a best-interests assessment.

4. Safety

• What It Means: Care providers must ensure that services are safe, which includes managing risks, protecting people from harm, and ensuring that care is delivered by qualified professionals.
• Example: A hospital must have protocols in place to prevent infections, such as regular hand hygiene practices, sterilization of equipment, and isolation procedures for contagious patients.

5. Safeguarding from Abuse

• What It Means: Providers must protect people from abuse, neglect, and improper treatment. This includes having robust safeguarding policies and training staff to recognize and report any concerns.
• Example: In a care home, staff members should be trained to identify signs of abuse, such as unexplained bruises or changes in behavior, and know how to report these concerns to the appropriate authorities.

6. Food and Drink

• What It Means: People receiving care must have access to sufficient food and drink to meet their dietary needs and preferences. Nutritional care should be part of the overall care plan.
• Example: A patient with diabetes in a hospital should be provided with meals that manage their blood sugar levels and cater to their dietary preferences, such as vegetarian options.

7. Premises and Equipment

• What It Means: The premises and equipment used in care must be clean, secure, and suitable for the intended purpose, ensuring that they support safe and effective care.
• Example: In a dental clinic, all tools and equipment must be regularly sterilized, and the treatment rooms should be cleaned between patients to maintain a safe environment.

8. Complaints

• What It Means: People must be able to complain about their care and have their complaints handled efficiently and properly. Providers must have a clear, accessible complaints procedure.
• Example: If a patient feels that their care was inadequate, they should be able to easily file a complaint, either verbally or in writing. The care provider should respond promptly and take steps to address the issue, such as conducting a review of care practices.

9. Good Governance

• What It Means: Providers must have effective systems and processes in place to ensure the delivery of safe and high-quality care. This includes regular audits, staff training, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Example: A care home may implement a regular review process where staff can discuss any issues that arise, analyze incident reports, and develop action plans to improve care standards.

10. Staffing

• What It Means: Care services must be provided by enough suitably qualified, competent, skilled, and experienced staff. Staffing levels should be appropriate to meet the needs of those receiving care.
• Example: In a busy hospital ward, there should be enough nurses on duty to ensure that each patient receives timely care, including medication administration and monitoring vital signs.

11. Fit and Proper Persons Employed

• What It Means: Staff employed by care providers must be of good character, have the necessary qualifications, and be physically and mentally able to perform their duties.
• Example: A home care agency must conduct thorough background checks and interviews to ensure that caregivers are trustworthy, competent, and capable of providing quality care.

12. Duty of Candour

• What It Means: Providers must be open and transparent with service users, especially when things go wrong. This includes being honest about mistakes and taking responsibility for them.
• Example: If a surgery does not go as planned and results in a complication, the surgeon should immediately inform the patient and their family, explain what happened, and discuss the next steps.

13. Display of Ratings

• What It Means: Care providers must display their CQC ratings prominently, allowing service users and the public to see how they are performing.
• Example: A care home should display its CQC rating at the entrance, on its website, and in any promotional materials so that prospective residents and their families can make informed decisions.

Conclusion

The CQC’s Fundamental Standards are vital to ensuring that health and social care services in England deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care. By adhering to these standards, care providers can create environments where people feel respected, protected, and well-cared for. These standards not only safeguard the well-being of those receiving care but also provide a clear framework for providers to follow, ensuring consistency and quality across the board.

For care providers, understanding and implementing these standards is crucial. For service users, knowing these standards can empower you to advocate for the care you deserve. Whether you are a healthcare professional, a patient, or a family member, the CQC’s Fundamental Standards are there to protect and enhance the quality of care across the UK.  If you are already registered with CQC then you may be interested in some of our following services which are designed for the existing healthcare providers: 

For Existing Healthcare Providers

1. CQC Workshop:  Imagine a CQC Workshop / Training service if you are new to CQC regulations or may need a refresher for yourself or your team to bring everyone up to speed with new legislation, regulations, compliance standards and solutions? 

2. CQC Consulting:  Imagine a service when you are looking for an simple, quick or detailed answer but cannot find any information or a person! Well, our consultation services are designed just to over come such situation. 

3. CQC Governance:  Imagine a situation where it all comes crumbling down and you are still thinking who is responsible for this? Well, as a service provider you could be. Our governance framework will ensure you have service improvement systems, workflow procedures and quality assurance in place. 

4. CQC Mock Inspection:  Imagine a service where all your red-flags are highlighted based on CQC style inspection, so you can fix them before CQC highlights them and give you poor rating!