The CQC is continuing to roll out more guidance on its new single assessment framework that will start in January 2023.
This week it highlighted the importance of ratings and five key questions that will remain at the heart of its approach.
It will use:
- Five key questions (safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led)
- Four-point ratings scale (outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate)
Under each key question there are a set of topic areas and quality statements. The statements describe what good care looks like and will link to the regulations.
The CQC has developed six categories for the evidence it collects, and this will reflect service type and the level of assessment.
What are quality statements?
The CQC defines this as the ‘commitments that providers, commissioners and system leaders should live up to.’
Expressed as ‘we statements,’ they show what is needed to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.
What evidence is needed?
Six evidence categories are used to show the types of evidence the CQC uses to understand the quality of care being delivered against a quality statement.
They are:
- People’s experience of health and care services
- Feedback from staff and leaders
- Feedback from partners
- Observation
- Processes
- Outcomes
How much evidence is needed from providers depends on:
- The service type or model
- The level of assessment (service, provider, local authority or integrated care system)
- Whether the assessment is for an existing service or at registration
How QCS will help our customers?
QCS is currently working on resources to help you fully understand the new framework and what it means for you. Please look out for this information on the website, our social media channels and in the Resource Centre.
Further Information
CQC – Single Assessment Framework
QCS – CQC to start roll out of new regulatory approach from Jan 2023
