Health Management and Policy Alert

Care Quality Commission: regulatory performance in homecare

Homecare Association - 

This report reveals critical failures in the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) regulation of homecare services in England. This puts people drawing on homecare at risk and causes harm to care providers. The analysis identifies several key issues undermining CQC's performance: severe resource constraints; dysfunctional funding model; ineffective IT systems; misalignment with local authorities; and poor leadership and management of change.

• Report
• Press release

Behind the masks: corruption red flags in Covid-19 public procurement

 

This report provides an analysis of UK public procurement and contracts issued during the Covid-19 pandemic. By analysing publicly available data on over 5,000 UK contracts, alongside official reports, litigation in the courts, and public interest journalism, it identifies 135 high-risk contracts worth £15.3 billion. These contracts, which represent nearly one in every three pounds spent, raise serious concerns and warrant further investigation by relevant authorities.

• Report
• Press release

Same day emegency care: service specification

NHS England - 

Same day emergency care (SDEC) allows specialists, where appropriate, to assess, diagnose and treat patients on the same day of arrival who would otherwise have been admitted to hospital. This specification defines what should be delivered as part of the SDEC service. It includes links to reference documents and metrics for measurement (the desired outcomes and outputs) so that safe, effective same day services are delivered across healthcare systems to deliver UEC services.

• Specification
• More detail

A pivotal moment for regulation: regulation and oversight survey 2024

NHS Providers - 

This report details the findings of the latest NHS Providers' member survey, focusing on trust leaders’ views and experience of regulation during 2023/24. The report finds that trusts are experiencing intense pressures against a backdrop of 'unrealistic' regulatory demands.

• Report
• Press release

Review into the operational effectiveness of the Care Quality Commission: interim report

Department of Health and Social Care -
In May 2024, Dr Penny Dash was asked to conduct a review into the operational effectiveness of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The purpose of the review was to examine the suitability of CQC’s new single assessment framework methodology for inspections and ratings of health and care providers. This interim report provides a high-level summary of the emerging findings of the review in order to inform the changes needed to start the process of improving CQC and makes 5 recommendations.

• Report
• Department of Health and Social Care - publications

Business plan 2024/25

NHS Resolution -  

This plan outlines NHS Resolution's financial and service delivery goals for the third and final year of its strategic plan, Advise, resolve and learn: our strategy to 2025. The business plan reflects NHS Resolution’s four strategic priorities to resolve issues in a fair and timely manner; use data to improve healthcare; improve maternity outcomes; and invest in staff and systems.

• Business plan
• More detail

NHS secondary care: an overview

NHS Providers - 

This explainer details the size and structure of NHS trusts and foundation trusts, their performance and activity, and how they are perceived by the public and their regulators.

• Explainer
• More detail

Government response to the consultation on hub and spoke dispensing

Department of Health and Social Care - 

The government conducted a UK-wide consultation from 16 March to 8 June 2022 seeking views on proposals for amending the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (HMRs) and the Medicines Act 1968 to remove the barrier that currently limits hub and spoke models to pharmacies within the same legal entity, and to ensure the safe and effective implementation of the policy. This is the formal government response to that consultation. The consultation evidence and further discussions have enabled the government to understand concerns and queries in detail. The report analyses 131 replies and responds to feedback received during the consultation period. Given the level of support for this proposal, the government will progress with legislation to amend the Medicines Act 1968 and the HMRs 2012.

• Consultation response
• Press release

Rapid evidence review: tackling inequalities through the regulation of services and organisations

Care Quality Commission - 
One of the Care Quality Commission (CQC)’s strategic aims is to tackle inequalities in health and care. CQC have invested in an ambitious research programme to support its strategy. CQC commissioned SQW to deliver a rapid evidence review, supported by the King’s Fund Library Service and Dr Tammy Boyce. The review explored how regulators can tackle inequalities experienced by those using services. It identified lessons from other sectors and countries. The study reviewed 46 documents. These documents were identified through a literature search and a call for evidence. A total of 12 interviews took place to add to the findings from the review.

• Care Quality Commission - publications

NHS Constitution: 10 year review

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) - 

The NHS Constitution sets out the principles, values, rights and pledges underpinning the NHS as a comprehensive health service, free at the point of use for all who need it. The DHSC is seeking views on proposed changes to the Constituion. The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 25 June 2024.

• Consultation details
• Press release