The CQC has committed to rapidly reviewing health and social care services to create more bed capacity in the NHS.
In the chief executive’s report to the board, which is meeting today, Sir David Behan wrote that the CQC will conduct a “rapid re-inspection” of services where admissions to community health and social care centres had been restricted but could be re-opened.
The board paper notes that services may have had restrictions placed on admissions because they were asked to by the CQC, local commissioners or the provider themselves.
The CQC has committed to rapidly reviewing health and social care services to create more bed capacity in the NHS.
In the chief executive’s report to the board, which is meeting today, Sir David Behan wrote that the CQC will conduct a “rapid re-inspection” of services where admissions to community health and social care centres had been restricted but could be re-opened.
The board paper notes that services may have had restrictions placed on admissions because they were asked to by the CQC, local commissioners or the provider themselves.
The reviews will take into account the risk of admitting patients to the service and assess whether their re-inspection date could be brought forward.
The restrictions would only be lifted if the service has improved enough and the improvements are sustainable.
The report says: “CQC has committed to review those services where there is a restriction on admissions and where the lifting of these restrictions would have the potential to increase capacity in those areas where there are the most significant pressures on the health service.”
It adds that the CQC “would not support putting people at great risk by agreeing to open up services where we have serious concerns” and the regulator “will not be compromising” their standards.
The commitment follows a statement made by Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, who said the NHS is under “intense pressure” this winter due to high demand.
