William Eichler 17 March 2020

Social care inspections halted to focus on the ‘global health emergency’

The independent regulator of health and social care in England has announced that it will be stopping all routine inspections in order to focus on supporting providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has said that, during the pandemic, its primary objective will be to support providers to keep people safe during a period of unprecedented pressure on the health and care system.

However, it added that it would still use its inspection powers in cases where there is clear evidence of harm, such as allegations of abuse. Ian Trenholm, chief executive of CQC, said that the regulator would focus on providing support during this ‘global health emergency’.

‘In adult social care, our inspectors will also be acting as a support for registered managers, providing advice and guidance throughout this period in the absence of a single national body equivalent to NHS England,’ he said.

‘We are talking to social care providers about how to most effectively collect information from them to ensure that the Government has a clear picture of the impact that COVID-19 is having on the sector.’

Other support that CQC is offering includes the return of clinically qualified CQC special advisors to the frontline to help with the wider national response, for example, secondments of staff to DHSC, Public Health England and NHS England.

Their customer contact centre expects to start taking non-clinical COVID-19 calls from next week in support of 111.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Public Health Practitioner

Durham County Council
Grade 12 - £44,075 - £48,226
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about public health, has experience of delivering or commissioning public health s Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Home Care and Support Worker 18.5hrs

Durham County Council
£12,791 - £13,412 p.a. (hourly rate of £13.26 rising to £13.90) -part-time Grade 4
If you have elderly friends and relatives, you will understand the value they place on independence. This role will give you the opportunity to work Seaham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Manager

Durham County Council
£50,269 to £54,495 p.a. (Grade 14)
This is an exiting opportunity to join a newly established team within Durham supporting young people in care preparing them for independence. The N Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Learning and Development Support Officer

Durham County Council
£26,403 to £28,598 pro rata p.a. (Grade 5)
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and experienced Learning and Development Support Officer to join a small team within our award winn Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner