.jpg)
.jpg)
Robyn Drury, Quality Assurance and Clinical Lead at Care for Quality (from our Employment Law, HR and Health & Safety trusted partner), explains the importance of being digitally prepared in your care home.
The CQC has provided guidance indicating that services must ensure access to documentation remotely, stating:
“We’ll gather evidence to support our judgements in a variety of ways and at different times, not just through on-site inspections”.
Our partner has observed that this requirement to provide digital access is necessary both during on-site inspections and, increasingly, following these inspections. Indeed, it’s now normal for inspectors to request to review your documentation in their own time.
It’s therefore important to consider the types of documentation you have, where it's stored, and how it can be shared when requested.
When assessing whether your care home is digitally ready, start by asking yourself:
Unfortunately, according to our recent poll, just 4% of providers say their service is fully digitally prepared for the new CQC framework. In our experience, many are still transitioning to a digital way of working.
If you require support, our Employment Law, HR and Health & Safety trusted partner is here to help your service:
- Ensure compliance with the latest digital standards set by the CQC and the Department of Health and Social Care.
- Implement or improve your digital systems for patient care, governance, and HR.
- Streamline and update your policies and procedures to ensure they’re bespoke, up-to-date, and fully accessible.
Have a question or want more information? Call our team on 01273 424904.
CQC inspections are usually unannounced or sprung on you at short notice, so it’s essential that your service is prepared.
Our partners CQC mock inspections are designed to help you identify and address potential issues in your healthcare or adult social care setting before they come to the attention of the regulator. Our goal is to assist you in rectifying these issues, ensuring that you can deliver a high-quality service that meets regulatory standards.
Many QCG members have already utilised this proactive service for peace of mind that they are on the right track.
By working with their approved and experienced consultant panel across England, they can help you feel confident and ready for when the time comes.
Our mock CQC inspections take place in a similar fashion to a CQC inspection. However, they consult with each provider to agree on the format and style of the visit based on your specific requirements.
It’s important to acknowledge that the CQC has confirmed it will not check every quality statement on each visit. Our offerings are designed to be in line with current expectations, recognising the dynamic nature of the regulatory landscape.
Inspections can also be tailored to focus on specific areas that you feel require particular attention or be more bespoke, including, but not limited to:
For more information on mock inspections and how we can support your care home, click here.
.png){kind=small}
.webp)