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Monday
Aug232010

Care Quality Commission and EHRC consult on new human rights guidance




The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has joined with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to create new guidance for social care inspectors and assessors.

Once published, the guidance will be used by inspectors when they monitor care providers under the CQC's standards and registration requirements.

The new guidance includes:

  • An overview of how the CQC's essential standards relate to equality and human rights law and what inspectors and assessors should do if they think it has been breached
  • Information about equality and human rights for each of the key sections of our essential standards
  • detailed charts which map the equality and human rights dimensions of the essential standards
  • Prompts that inspectors and assessors can use about equality and human rights – complementary to the prompts in the essential standards of quality and safety.

Neil Kinghan, Director General of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “We welcome all feedback and suggestions; from inspectors and assessors at CQC or those working in similar bodies; from managers and staff across the English health and social care sectors; and, most of all from people who use these vital services.  The more we can improve this guidance, the more useful it will be helping inspectors to secure high quality and safe care for all, as well as promoting the EHRC’s objectives in equalities and human rights.”

The consultation closes on 12 November 2010. The draft guidance can be found here: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/human-rights/new-guidance-for-inspectors-and-assessors/



Monday
Aug232010

New information for patients and carers from the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a leaflet designed to inform patients, carers and their families about the standards they should expect from the new regulation of NHS hospitals in England. 

Thursday
Aug122010

Patients, prescribers and politicians: a new coalition for the NHS

The coalition’s recently unveiled Programme for Government and proposals for a new Health Bill promise significant change for the NHS. Patient power and clinical leadership will take centre stage, while politicians will take a back seat.

A devolution of power and responsibility within the NHS will see patients and doctors given more control in a clinically-led health service, the coalition Government has announced.

The new approach, outlined by Cameron and Clegg in their Programme for Government and expanded upon within the subsequent Queen’s Speech, aims to bring an end to the “bureaucracy, top-down control and centralisation” it claims has “diminished the NHS”.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the new NHS will be one in which patients enjoy a prominent voice. “Decisions must be taken with patients, closer to patients and with clinical leadership to the fore,” he said.

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Tuesday
Jul202010

Poll reveals dentists ‘unprepared’ for watchdog scheme

New research reveals that many dentists are unprepared for registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

With the government intent on retaining the requirements for registration by both NHS and private practices, the poll shows that – with only six months to go – 22% of those surveyed by admitted to being unprepared for registration.

A further 19% did not even know what CQC meant.

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Friday
Jul162010

Landlords who deal with care must beware of new law requiring registration

Registered providers involved in supported housing or independent living schemes for service users with learning difficulties who were not required to register previously under the Care Standards Act 2000 should beware. They could be caught by the registration requirements of the new care standards regime if, as part of their service, they prompt and supervise clients in relation to personal care. If so, they will need to submit an application to register with the Care Quality Commission by 31 July.

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Friday
Jul162010

Hospital inspection was "traumatic" for staff

A HOSPITAL worker had to scrub a commode as part of a ‘traumatic’ inspection to prove NHS leaders were tackling superbugs.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent national watchdog, descended on four out of six community hospitals in Worcestershire as part of a series of surprise visits to check staff were keeping the wards, patients and equipment clean to protect against potentially deadly superbugs like MRSA and C.difficile.

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Monday
Jun142010

Hospitals with the worst superbug infection rates are named and shamed

The worst hospitals for superbugs have been named and shamed in new league tables drawn up by the Government.

The figures reveal a wide variation in infection rates between some of the largest and most respected hospitals in England, with patients up to ten times more likely to contract Clos­tridium difficile (C. diff) in some units than in others.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust recorded the highest number of C. diff infections – 303 in 12 months. However, at a similar size hospital in London, the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foun­dation Trust, there were only 32 cases during the same period.
Leeds General Infirmary

Superbug shame: Leeds General Infirmary is part of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust which topped the MRSA league table

 

 

 

 

 

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Wednesday
Jun092010

Wipe out the superbugs, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley orders hospitals


Andrew Lansley said that all hospitals should move towards eradication of preventable deaths resulting from MRSA, C.diff and other superbugs

Hospitals are to be ordered to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to tackling superbugs in attempt to slash the thousands of unnecessary deaths caused by the infections.

In his first speech as Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley yesterday said that all hospitals should move towards eradication of preventable deaths resulting from MRSA, C.diff and other superbugs.

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Tuesday
Apr062010

Owners of 'poor' Cumbrian care home say sorry

The owner of a Silloth care home has apologised to his elderly residents after inspectors said the care they were being given was not good enough.

Good Companions has been stripped of its three star ‘excellent’ rating and is now ranked ‘poor’ by the Care Quality Commission.

The social care watchdog has warned Mark Newby that failings in his services are putting the old folks’ health and safety at risk.

Cumbria County Council pays the fees for some of the elderly who live at the home.

A spokesman said the progress of an action plan to bring it back up to standard will be closely monitored.

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Wednesday
Mar102010

Hygiene lapses discovered at hospital


BLOOD-stained mattresses, dust and debris were among the hygiene lapses revealed in a spot check at East Surrey Hospital.

A shocking report by the inspection watchdog Care Quality Commission (CQC) slams hygiene failures at the hospital which is the acute facility serving East Grinstead and villages throughout the area.

 

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