CQC response to Dash and Richards reviews
CQC’s Path to Reform: A bold response to critical reviews by Dr Penny Dash and Professor Sir Mike Richards
By Dr Richard Dune
Image by seventyfourimages via Envato Elements
As England's independent health and social care regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has faced growing scrutiny over its recent operational failures and inefficiencies. In response to two comprehensive reviews, one by Dr Penny Dash and another by Professor Sir Mike Richards, have laid bare the pressing issues that have undermined the regulator’s ability to maintain high standards. The CQC’s response to these reviews, published on 15 October 2024, signals a renewed focus on rebuilding its reputation and improving its regulatory framework. These bold changes promise a significant shift in how the CQC functions and interacts with the health and social care sectors.
In this blog, Dr Richard Dune delves into the key findings of the reviews, the CQC’s response, and what this means for the future of health and social care regulation.
Image by Wavebreakmedia via Envato Elements
The reviews - A call for urgent action
Both reviews were initiated following growing concerns from providers and stakeholders about the CQC’s performance, particularly in its regulatory effectiveness, leadership structure, and technological infrastructure. The findings from Dr Penny Dash’s report and the interim report by Professor Sir Mike Richards offer a candid assessment of the regulator’s shortcomings and provide detailed recommendations for reform.
Dr Penny Dash’s review - The organisational breakdown
Dr Penny Dash’s review exposed deep-rooted organisational failings at CQC, pointing to a lack of sector expertise and the inefficacy of its current leadership structure. One of the standout recommendations from her report is the reinstatement of sector-specific chief inspectors, with each focused on hospitals, primary care, and adult social care. Dr Dash’s review also highlighted the pressing need for improved local authority assessments and to pause assessments of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) for six months to allow CQC to focus on improving its provider assessments.
Dr Dash was unequivocal in her conclusion, arguing that CQC must change or risk losing its ability to regulate effectively. Stronger leadership, more responsive systems, and better engagement with providers are critical to ensuring the regulator fulfils its mission.
Image by YuriArcursPeopleimages via Envato Elements
Image by YuriArcursPeopleimages via Envato Elements
Professor Sir Mike Richards’ interim report - Simplifying the regulatory framework
Professor Sir Mike Richards’ report added further weight to the call for reform, especially regarding the CQC’s Single Assessment Framework (SAF). His findings underscored the complexity of the current framework, which he argued was causing delays in inspections and contributing to the backlog of assessments. Richards advocated for a more straightforward framework that retains the core five key questions—Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led—while reducing the number of quality statements and removing the scoring of individual evidence categories. His report also emphasised the importance of stabilising CQC’s IT infrastructure, particularly its Provider Portal, which has faced significant technical issues.
Both reports acknowledged that while these problems are severe, they can be resolved relatively quickly, provided that CQC commits to implementing these changes decisively.
CQC’s response - A commitment to reform
The CQC has accepted the high-level recommendations from both reviews and committed to rapid reforms. In its response, the regulator outlined several immediate actions to address the organisational and operational failures that Dr Dash and Professor Sir Mike Richards identified.
Image by DC_Studio via Envato Elements
Image by DC_Studio via Envato Elements
Building stronger partnerships and feedback mechanisms
One key theme running through both reviews is the need for CQC to strengthen its relationships with providers, service users, and stakeholders. In its response, CQC emphasised its commitment to working collaboratively with organisations such as the Care Provider Alliance (CPA) and other representative bodies. This will ensure that the regulator’s reforms are informed by the insights and experiences of those directly involved in delivering care.
CQC has also committed to gathering provider feedback, specifically focusing on adult social care. Professor Sir Mike Richards and Professor Vic Rayner will support this process, which will help CQC fine-tune its assessment framework and ensure that it reflects the realities of care provision.
What’s next for CQC?
The CQC’s response to the Dash and Richards reviews marks the beginning of a comprehensive recovery process. Over the coming months, the regulator will be working to implement these recommendations, rebuild its reputation, and restore trust in its regulatory activities.
With Sir Julian Hartley set to take over as Chief Executive, there is cautious optimism that the necessary changes can be made swiftly. The appointment of sector-specific chief inspectors, the SAF's simplification, and the regulatory platform's stabilisation are all steps in the right direction. However, the CQC’s success will ultimately depend on its ability to follow through on these commitments and deliver tangible operational improvements.
Ian Dilks, Chair of CQC, echoed this sentiment in his statement, saying, “We are committed to rebuilding trust in CQC’s regulation and are taking action to make sure we have the right structure, processes, and technology in place to help us fulfil our vital role of helping people get good care and supporting providers to improve.”
Similarly, Professor Sir Mike Richards highlighted the importance of swift action, stating, “CQC’s problems can be fixed relatively quickly… Providers have overwhelmingly reaffirmed that they want good regulation, and many CQC staff remain fully committed to delivering this.”
Image by valeriygoncharukphoto via Envato Elements
Image by Wavebreakmedia via Envato Elements
The road ahead
While the findings of the Dash and Richards reviews were undoubtedly sobering, they also present a clear roadmap for improvement. The CQC’s willingness to accept the recommendations and take rapid action offers hope for a more effective and responsive regulator.
As the CQC embarks on its recovery journey, providers, stakeholders, and service users will be watching closely. The success of these reforms will be measured not only by the regulator’s internal improvements but also by their impact on the quality and safety of care across England.
Learn more about ComplyPlus™
Stay ahead of regulatory changes and ensure seamless compliance with CQC standards. Contact us today to discover how ComplyPlus™ can support your organisation in navigating CQC’s evolving regulatory landscape and achieving excellence in health and social care.
The reviews - A call for urgent action
Image by Wavebreakmedia via Envato Elements
Both reviews were initiated following growing concerns from providers and stakeholders about the CQC’s performance, particularly in its regulatory effectiveness, leadership structure, and technological infrastructure. The findings from Dr Penny Dash’s report and the interim report by Professor Sir Mike Richards offer a candid assessment of the regulator’s shortcomings and provide detailed recommendations for reform.
Dr Penny Dash’s review - The organisational breakdown
Image by YuriArcursPeopleimages via Envato Elements
Dr Penny Dash’s review exposed deep-rooted organisational failings at CQC, pointing to a lack of sector expertise and the inefficacy of its current leadership structure. One of the standout recommendations from her report is the reinstatement of sector-specific chief inspectors, with each focused on hospitals, primary care, and adult social care. Dr Dash’s review also highlighted the pressing need for improved local authority assessments and to pause assessments of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) for six months to allow CQC to focus on improving its provider assessments.
Dr Dash was unequivocal in her conclusion, arguing that CQC must change or risk losing its ability to regulate effectively. Stronger leadership, more responsive systems, and better engagement with providers are critical to ensuring the regulator fulfils its mission.
Professor Sir Mike Richards’ interim report - Simplifying the regulatory framework
Image by YuriArcursPeopleimages via Envato Elements
Professor Sir Mike Richards’ report added further weight to the call for reform, especially regarding the CQC’s Single Assessment Framework (SAF). His findings underscored the complexity of the current framework, which he argued was causing delays in inspections and contributing to the backlog of assessments. Richards advocated for a more straightforward framework that retains the core five key questions—Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led—while reducing the number of quality statements and removing the scoring of individual evidence categories. His report also emphasised the importance of stabilising CQC’s IT infrastructure, particularly its Provider Portal, which has faced significant technical issues.
Both reports acknowledged that while these problems are severe, they can be resolved relatively quickly, provided that CQC commits to implementing these changes decisively.
CQC’s response - A commitment to reform
Image by DC_Studio via Envato Elements
The CQC has accepted the high-level recommendations from both reviews and committed to rapid reforms. In its response, the regulator outlined several immediate actions to address the organisational and operational failures that Dr Dash and Professor Sir Mike Richards identified.
Building stronger partnerships and feedback mechanisms
Image by DC_Studio via Envato Elements
One key theme running through both reviews is the need for CQC to strengthen its relationships with providers, service users, and stakeholders. In its response, CQC emphasised its commitment to working collaboratively with organisations such as the Care Provider Alliance (CPA) and other representative bodies. This will ensure that the regulator’s reforms are informed by the insights and experiences of those directly involved in delivering care.
CQC has also committed to gathering provider feedback, specifically focusing on adult social care. Professor Sir Mike Richards and Professor Vic Rayner will support this process, which will help CQC fine-tune its assessment framework and ensure that it reflects the realities of care provision.
What’s next for CQC?
Image by valeriygoncharukphoto via Envato Elements
The CQC’s response to the Dash and Richards reviews marks the beginning of a comprehensive recovery process. Over the coming months, the regulator will be working to implement these recommendations, rebuild its reputation, and restore trust in its regulatory activities.
With Sir Julian Hartley set to take over as Chief Executive, there is cautious optimism that the necessary changes can be made swiftly. The appointment of sector-specific chief inspectors, the SAF's simplification, and the regulatory platform's stabilisation are all steps in the right direction. However, the CQC’s success will ultimately depend on its ability to follow through on these commitments and deliver tangible operational improvements.
Ian Dilks, Chair of CQC, echoed this sentiment in his statement, saying, “We are committed to rebuilding trust in CQC’s regulation and are taking action to make sure we have the right structure, processes, and technology in place to help us fulfil our vital role of helping people get good care and supporting providers to improve.”
Similarly, Professor Sir Mike Richards highlighted the importance of swift action, stating, “CQC’s problems can be fixed relatively quickly… Providers have overwhelmingly reaffirmed that they want good regulation, and many CQC staff remain fully committed to delivering this.”
The road ahead
Image by Wavebreakmedia via Envato Elements
While the findings of the Dash and Richards reviews were undoubtedly sobering, they also present a clear roadmap for improvement. The CQC’s willingness to accept the recommendations and take rapid action offers hope for a more effective and responsive regulator.
As the CQC embarks on its recovery journey, providers, stakeholders, and service users will be watching closely. The success of these reforms will be measured not only by the regulator’s internal improvements but also by their impact on the quality and safety of care across England.
Learn more about ComplyPlus™
Stay ahead of regulatory changes and ensure seamless compliance with CQC standards. Contact us today to discover how ComplyPlus™ can support your organisation in navigating CQC’s evolving regulatory landscape and achieving excellence in health and social care.
About the author
Dr Richard Dune
With over 20 years of experience, Richard blends a rich background in NHS, the private sector, academia, and research settings. His forte lies in clinical R&D, advancing healthcare tech, workforce development and governance. His leadership ensures regulatory compliance and innovation align seamlessly.
About the author
Dr Richard Dune
With over 20 years of experience, Richard blends a rich background in NHS, the private sector, academia, and research settings. His forte lies in clinical R&D, advancing healthcare tech, workforce development and governance. His leadership ensures regulatory compliance and innovation align seamlessly.
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