Care Quality Commission, the independent regulator has introduced the new system of inspection for care homes in October 2014. Under the new inspection regime, care homes will be inspected on five domains – Safety, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The new guidelines and criteria are focusing on a holistic approach to the style of inspection. This holistic approach is essential, as the reasons for care homes to fail can be so many.
What happened so far?
Since the new rating system is being implemented, I have been analysing the rate of increase in the percentage of care homes rated as outstanding. It has been more than four years now since it is being implemented. A good rated care home must have been inspected at least two times since then. But still, the rate of increase is still less than 1% each year. More than 80% of the care homes are Good, but I am sure some of the ‘Good’ rated care homes are already doing very well but still finding it challenging to convince inspectors to have the excellent rating.
Why not so many?
My list is not exhaustive, but these might be the possible reasons why so many care homes are not achieving outstanding;
- The providers and managers do not have a thorough understanding of the Key Lines of Enquiry and Rating characteristics.
- CQC expectation is too high?
- Is it subjective to the inspector?
- CQC is not very clear in informing the provider why they haven’t achieved outstanding?
- Providers and Managers are happy about just achieving a ‘Good’ rating.
- Not enough funding to sustain even a ‘Good’ rating.
- Lack of leadership, resources and attitude to drive improvement.
- And many more as barriers in each care home is so different.
Who is leading with highest percentage of CQC outstanding rated care homes in England?
Is this enough?
It has been more than four years since the Care Quality Commission has introduced the new inspection rating system. It is high time to reflect on why the sector is not moving forward as it should be. Many questions to be asked and solutions should be identified at a local and national level. The mission for all care homes should be is to achieve the “Outstanding” rating in their inspection thereby provide the best quality care for the people we are looking after. Why shouldn’t you?
Let us together make Britain the best country in the world to live in a care home.
Download the full statistics here.
How can I help?
The cheapest option is to purchase my book and commit yourself to drive improvement. You can find the details here.
I do bespoke consultancy for care homes to identify and grow to their full potential:
- Identify areas to improve the compliance.
- Prepare to become Outstanding.
- Business development.
- Reviewing systems and processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Identify strategies to improve the culture of care homes.
- Coaching and mentoring for business owners and Care Managers.
More details here on how I can help your care home business.
