Better regulation, better care

Consultation on improving how we assess and rate providers

What this consultation is about

This consultation has 2 areas of focus:

• how we are proposing to develop our frameworks and guidance for assessing providers
• how we propose to change our methods for inspecting, assessing and awarding ratings to health and care services

Our proposals have been informed by a programme of internal and external engagement, including through provider roadshows, workshops with local Healthwatch and the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, alongside internal workshops with colleagues about new ways of working.

Alongside our engagement, we have set up a programme of testing and piloting. This is to check that our proposed changes incorporate the recommendations from external reviews, ensure the changes support us to achieve our strategy and equality objectives and, most importantly, that they work well for everybody – people who use services, providers, our colleagues and others.

There will be an opportunity to test and refine our proposed assessment approach, to ensure it is inclusive, informed by evidence and geared toward continuous improvement. During that time, we will continue to work with people using services, providers, professionals and our other local and national partners to co-produce what we do.

How to respond to this consultation

You can respond to this consultation using the link below. The form has 9 questions (some with multiple parts to them).

We recommend you read the consultation document on our website before you start.

There is also an easy read version of the document and a separate form for responding available on the website.

You need to submit your response by 5pm on 11 December.

How we use your information

The information you include in your response to this consultation will be analysed by CQC staff and an external partner (Tonic). We are not collecting any personal data and ask that you do not include any personal information in your responses.

The demographic information we collect will be analysed separately to ensure we are considering the views of different groups. Providing this demographic information is entirely optional, and you can submit your responses without completing these fields.

You can find more information in our privacy statement.