Changes never end within the social care sector. When change happens with regulators, the care providers need to be extra vigilant. Some care business fails as they are not agile enough to make improvements as required. For example, remember how many care homes failed when the new inspection approach with KLOE was implemented in 2014.
Now CQC is changing again. Not in terms of the regulatory requirements but how it is operating and will be collecting data.
COVID19 was a wake-up call to digitalise inspections. Remote monitoring becomes a necessity both for care home owners and regulators.
Some changes that are likely to happen within CQC is below:
- CQC has not started its routine comprehensive inspections yet. But still, 50% of the visits happened during COVID is in response to whistleblowing concerns.
- CQC calls the period between now and early 2021 as a transitional period to a Future regulatory framework.
- New digital platform will be developed to improve the provider engagement which includes a mobile app. It is likely that CQC is moving towards a ‘live data’ regulatory approach.
- There will be more engagement from CQC with stakeholders in August and July about Strategy 2021.
What does it mean for the care providers?
Only less than 30% of providers are benefitting from the use of technology. Just signing up to an online care planning platform will not be of any use, how you use that to measure the ‘Quality’ is what matters. It is a good idea to get on board if you are not already doing so. Get a grip on your own data management before the regulator. Data means – how you measure your ‘quality’ in line with CQC framework.
Speak to our care home expert Issac Theophilos, to consult on how to ‘digitalise’ your care business. Not just for the sake of digitalising, but to provide ‘Outstanding’ care.
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