It’s just another day in the office and as usual you’re ploughing your way through an abundance of emails and letters whilst taking yet another phone call. The workload continues to increase and you’re prioritising effectively, ensuring that what needs to be done is getting done; that’s what being a manager is all about, and…

In the middle of March 2018, the CQC published revised guidance detailing the way it intends to inspect GP Practices, updating its publication from October 2017. The guidance shared details on how the CQC intends to work with the Annual Provider Information and the review of practices with ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ ratings – which covers…

Just when you think you’ve got the CQC inspections sussed, and you’ve successfully survived your first visit, along come some changes to the regulations! Yes, that’s right – later this year the CQC will be changing the focus of its inspections. Originally scheduled to come into force in October 2017 – but delayed by the…

As a PM of a practice which has recently been awarded an ‘outstanding ‘rating by CQC  I have experienced a range of emotions. Before the inspection I felt anxious because, unfortunately, rightly or wrongly,  CQC ratings will be used to judge the practice in the future. During the two week build up to the inspection,…

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 requires practices (and other regulated care providers) to prove that: they have “sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, competent, skilled and experienced persons” their staff receive “appropriate support, training, professional development, supervision and appraisal as is necessary to enable them to carry out the duties…

You may or may not have read my previous blogs giving a PPG Chairman’s perspective of a CQC inspection, but I promised a final installment to review our report. Observant ones among you will wonder why the delay, especially considering the first two blogs were published last Autumn? With Spring now sprung the simple answer:…

NHS inspectors are pushing through massive increases in fees to practices and NHS trusts, it has been announced. The Care Quality Commission made its announcement 12 months after running a consultation on the proposals. It will mean costs for a medium size GP practice reach nearly £5,000 – increasing by £1,953 to £4,526. The fee…