The CQC is ‘considering what is the best model’ for primary care regulation, while announcing that its hospitals inspector will take over regulating primary care on an interim basis.
CQC’s Dr Sean O’Kelly will take on the role of interim director for primary care in addition to his job of chief hospitals inspector.
The current chief inspector of primary care at CQC, Dr Rosie Benneyworth, will quit the role this summer and take on a new role as an interim chief investigator at the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB).
In an update, the CQC said it is ‘considering what is the best model for the future’ to inspect general practice.
It said: ‘As the legislation that establishes CQC makes clear, there must [be] someone to discharge the role of chief inspector of general practice.
‘Most recently this has been carried out by the chief inspector of primary medical services and integrated care, and we will be considering what is the best model for the future.’
The CQC added: ‘Sean has a wealth of experience in leadership and clinical delivery from across the health sector – most recently as medical director and chief clinical information officer for NHS England and Improvement East of England.
‘We will continue to talk to stakeholders in Primary Medical Services to ensure that the decisions we make about how we regulate this sector take into account their views.’
From 1 July, ICBs will take over from CCGs, with the CQC planning to rate ICSs.
The CQC said: ‘As we think about the future shape and configuration of the systems and providers that we regulate – with increasing collaboration across health and care services – we need to consider how we can most effectively continue to provide constructive oversight of services and give people assurance about the quality of care they can expect.’
At the start of this year, the CQC admitted its inspection and monitoring methodology ‘may inadvertently disadvantage’ ethnic minority-run GP practices and lead to ‘inequities’.
A Government review of arm’s length bodies (ALBs), announced in May, could see the CQC abolished.
Most GPs are just bored of three letter who-bodys.
CQC waste huge amounts of time and are a significant factor in persuading NHS staff to find something else to do with their time rather than work in the NHS. The inspectors are often lacking competence, judgement or understanding of the limits to their authority.
Ideal option is to terminate the CQC as an organisation.
More realistically, ensuring that Practices can only be inspected when there is significant reliable evidence of significant problems within the Practice. And that there is a robust external panel to hear complaints about CQC staff, with powers to discipline, fine and sack those found to be incompetent or abusing their authority.
The parasite is one of many gradually killing the host. Without a host parasites die. CQC need to think about symbiosis but as a host I struggle to see what advantage they have to offer me in return for support?