BMA GP Committee publishes new CQC registration guidance

It is “highly unlikely” the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will refuse a GP practice’s registration if non-compliance is declared on the application form, it is claimed.

Guidance published by the British Medical Association’s (BMA) GP Committee on CQC registration walks general practice staff through the process of CQC compliance – from filling out the application to preparing for an inspection.

The committee suggests the majority of practices should appoint a partner or practice manager to become their ‘registered manager’ – someone who will be registered with the CQC to be in “day-to-day management of one or more regulated activities”.

The GPC advises that the registered manager role should “certainly not” be viewed simply as an administrative management role due to the legal responsibilities involved.

Furthemore, the guidance believes it to be “highly unlikely” the CQC will refuse a practice’s application if non-compliance with the regulator’s essential standards is declared, providing an action plan is submitted.

It is claimed the CQC anticipate being able to grant registration in the majority of cases, although some may be subject to conditions.

“The GPC has been helping the CQC for the last year, looking at how to improve the registration process for GPs and how to ensure that both it and the subsequent monitoring of compliance are proportionate,” said Dr Laurence Buckman, Chair of the BMA’s GPC (pictured right).

“We’ve produced this guidance to help GPs and practice managers through the process, trying to make it as straightforward as possible, however we believe all practices should already be able to fulfil and demonstrate the essential standards through the work they currently do.”

During discussions between the GPC and CQC, it is said there has been a “general agreement” on the need for CQC GP compliance to be “proportionate”.

In the document the GPC remains adamant CQC registration should not involve the development of “large numbers of new policies and protocols” nor should GPs be expected to “bear the cost of CQC’s activity” when registration fees are set.