Does CQC request for PIR ? If so is that an indication for an inspection? Can CQC carry out inspections even when they have not requested for a PIR from the provider? – Sirisha

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear Sirisha,

Thank you for your question.

The PIR and an inspection are not directly related.

The information given on a PIR is of course part of the important information that CQC will hold about your service and the information they hold will help to identify some of their lines of enquiry at the unannounced inspection.

I have however heard from several providers that have had an unannounced inspection and have not yet been asked to submit a PIR. The latest one was at a seminar I spoke at last week in Essex but this is very unusual.

If you are asked to complete your PIR this does not mean that an inspection is going to happen immediately.

You can find guidance about completing the return on the CQC website

http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20140909_900254_v3_01_pir_community_guidance_roll_out_final.pdf

Best wishes,

Sheila