Caring Times, June 2013

The Care Quality Commission’s new strategy for the next three years has won praise from the Ntional Care Forum (NCF), which represents not-for-profit care providers.

NCF executive director Des Kelly said the publication of ‘Raising Standards, putting people first’ was an important, and probably essential, step in the efforts to change the way in which the regulator operates.

“The strategy is a clear and unambiguous statement of intent,” said Mr Kelly.

“It is encouraging that CQC have used the process of developing the new strategy to demonstrate that the organisation is listening and learning. The NCF welcomes this significant shift in emphasis and the recognition that the way in which the regulator will now work to ensure that social care services are safe and of good quality.

“We have always held the view that providers carry the primary responsibility and accountability for the quality of the services they offer. However the actual success of the strategy and business plan will be judged not simply by the aspirational words from the top of the organisation but by evidence that relationships with inspectors are changing on the ground.”

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