Just over a year ago, I wrote the ‘Continuing to sail on the sea of CQC change’ blog, and 18 months earlier, I wrote the ‘CQC: Big changes are on the horizon’ blog. Today, we’re still at sea, sailing along, encountering change over every horizon. But could it be that the good ship ‘CQC’ is finally heading into harbour?

We’ve seen so many changes over the past two years, I think most of us have forgotten what the pre-pandemic regulatory approach entailed! Well, soon it’s all going to be about quality – specifically, quality statements, which are replacing the tried-and-tested Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs).

This is a significant change, with around 150 KLOEs (which are effectively prompts/questions) being replaced by 34 quality statements. Certainly, it seems to be quality over quantity in this latest CQC change. However, this change will help to shape the CQC’s regulatory approach and there will be a single assessment framework for all providers, focusing on what matters to service users.

So, what is a quality statement? Simply put, it’s a statement setting out how an organisation’s practices and commitment ensure that a good service is provided. The CQC concurs, stating: “Quality statements are 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.” And: “The quality statements show how services and providers need to work together to plan and deliver high-quality care.”

Let me give you an example. Infection, prevention, and control: We assess and manage the risk of infection. We detect and control the risk of it spreading and share concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. This is a statement that’s succinct and self-explanatory, and one that replaces around five KLOEs. To me, reducing the number of KLOEs and developing quality statements was a sensible and much-needed change; it reduces repetition. But perhaps what’s key is that they reference “system level”, illustrating the need for organisations to work as part of an Integrated Care System (ICS).

Some might argue that KLOEs made it easier for you to demonstrate compliance and provide evidence, as you were asked specific questions; but rather than asking ‘do, how or are’ questions, the quality statements are focus-driven, positive statements. Therefore, are they not in some way encouraging you to affirm your compliance and showcase what you do well? Only time will tell.

If you want to be able to demonstrate your CQC compliance, CQC Manager in the HUB is the way to do it. Part of the Compliance Package from Practice Index, this new innovation offers one central, secure place for you to collate all the evidence required for CQC.

Top features include:

• Clearly displayed framework of the Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE)*
• CQC GP mythbusters all mapped by KLOE prompts
• Quickly and easily add evidence as you go
• Add any form of evidence from anywhere
• Fully interactable with existing HUB features such as Learning Manager and Policy Manager
• Top tips on what evidence is needed
• Suggestions for mandatory, expected and recommended policies and training

You can request a free, no-obligation demo here. We’d love to show it to you!

We haven’t quite reached the harbour yet; you’re not quite ready to step ashore. The CQC are going to gradually phase in their new regulatory model, starting in August with small groups of CQC colleagues and providers (early adopters). Then September will see a small number of GP practices included in the phased approach, before the full roll-out in January 2023.

Hang on to your sea legs for a little while longer; our voyage is almost complete. Until the next step of the journey, remember, quality is an ongoing process, but it’s everyone’s responsibility.